WIMBLEDON: Did Roberto Bautista Agut expect to reach the semi-finals of the Wimbledon Championships? No, he planned to have his stag do instead.
The Spanish 23rd seed continued his best-ever run at the All England Club on Wednesday with a 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, win over Guido Pella. Booking a place in his first ever grand slam semi-final at the age of 31. The performance continues what is already a solid year for Bautista Agut, who won the Doha Open back in February. His ninth title on the ATP Tour.
“It feels good. I think I’m having a great tournament. I played very good in the first week.” Bautista Agut said during his press conference.
“Today was a very difficult match. Pella is a good opponent, he has won really good matches this week and was really tough to beat.”
Ironically, the world No.22 is in a win-win scenario this week. If he didn’t go beyond the fourth round, he would be flying off with a group of six friends to the Spanish island of Ibiza. The outing was planned to by Bautista Agut’s bachelor party, who is getting married in November.
“I had planned to be in Ibiza right now. We had everything organized already. My friends, six of them, are all there.’ He revealed.
“But, it feels better to be here in London.’
“I think they (my friends) will fly (to London) on Friday.”
Instead of relaxing in the Ibiza sunshine, where the temperatures are expected to reach 30 degrees later this week, Bautista Agut has a clash with currently Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic on Friday. Djokovic dismissed David Goffin in four sets earlier in the day.
The upcoming clash could be the biggest test yet for the world No.1, who has dropped one set in five matches played. The two have already clashed twice this year with Bautista Agut triumphing in three sets both times. Recording those victories in Doha and Miami.
“He has improved his backhand. I think he’s got more depth on his backhand. The ball bounces lower on the grass, which is I think more suitable to his style of the game. He doesn’t like when the ball bounces higher to his backhand.” Djokovic commented about the game of his semi-final opponent.
Bautista Agut very much remains the underdog going into his next match. Besides his lack of experience in playing the later rounds of the majors, he also trails the head-to-head 3-7. Although he has vowed to not go out without a fight.
“He’s (Djokovic) the past champion here in Wimbledon. He really likes playing on grass.” He said.
“He likes to play a lot of rallies. I like to play against an opponent like this, to play a match with a lot of rallies.”
Normally a person would be upset about not being able to go to their own stag do. However, it is fair to say a showdown with the world No.1 on one of the most prestigious courts in the world is a good consultation.
Bautista Agut plays Djokovic on Friday afternoon.
