While it is true that Roberto Bautista Agut defeated Novak Djokovic in their last three meetings it is also true that Novak leads the matchup with 9-3. It is because of that that the Spaniard is very careful ahead of their match at the Western and Southern Open later today.

On his play so far Bautista-Agut said:

"I’m happy. I think I have been practicing hard [and] doing a lot of great things at home. It’s never easy to come back and play well in the first tournament. I think I have to be patient and try to enjoy every single match I play here after six months without competing. I’m just pleased and happy to be in the semi-finals."

And indeed Bautista-Agut looked very good throughout the week even when faced with issues like he had in the match against Khachanov. He managed to fight back and it was a true testimony at the fighting spirit this Spaniard possesses.

His next opponent will be Novak Djokovic, a man he defeated in three consecutive hard court meetings.

“Novak is a great player. It’s true that I played really good matches against Novak, [but] he didn’t lose a match this year. He is the favorite. I will try to play my game and try to enjoy another good match against him.”

As for Novak, it will be a tough match, not only because the Spaniard does well against him but also because he never gives up. After their last meeting Djokovic said:

"I was winning comfortably, [up a] set, having some chances in the second set and then things turned around. But that’s what he does. He slows you down. He wears you down and tries to, in a way, suffocate you on the court and wait for his chances, and then he takes it."

It seems Novak knows exactly what's in store for him and with his 21-0 unbeaten streak at risk the stakes are quite high. The match will start after the first semifinal concludes. Play starts at 19:00 CET or 1 pm (New York) time.

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