Roberto Bautista Agut should be on his stag do in Ibiza but instead he is the last man standing who can upset the big three at Wimbledon.
And the Spaniard is something of a bogeyman for Novak Djokovic. He plays the world No1 in the first men’s semi-final tomorrow, having won their two most recent meetings.
Bautista Agut beat Djokovic 3-6, 7-6, 6-4 in Doha in January and then defeated him 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 in Miami in March. It is hard to see anyone stopping Djokovic in his pursuit of a fifth Wimbledon title, given the way he is playing and the ease at which he has cruised through the draw.
But his nemesis, Bautista Agut, may provide the defending champion with his toughest test yet.
“I had planned to be in Ibiza right now,” said Bautista Agut, who beat Guido Pella in four sets yesterday to reach his first semi-final of a Grand Slam. “We had everything organised and six of my friends are there. Well, it feels better to be here in London. He is the champion but I want to go out and win the match. I do not think I intimidate him but I am sure I am uncomfortable for him. There are times when I put him against the ropes. I think it is going to be similar to the matches I have played against him in the past.”
Djokovic beat David Goffin in straight sets yesterday and has a 7-3 winning head-to-head record against Bautista Agut. But he is wary of the threat posed by the 31-year-old on Centre Court.
The Serb said: “I have a great deal of respect for him. He has won twice against me this year and that is going to give him confidence.
“I am sure he is going to be a big challenge. He has been playing some very high-quality tennis in this tournament. It is a surprise this is his first semi-final in a grand slam. It is not easy to play against him on grass. This surface corresponds to his style. He has a good forehand and backhand, is good physically and mentally, he is very tough, calm and he knows how to react under pressure.”
