Djokovic led the head to head 7-3, but Bautista Agut had won the last two contests - Doha and Miami this year, each after dropping the opening set.
In the Wimbledon semi this year, the first ever experienced by the Spaniard, Djokovic served first, and was greeted by a BA winner. That was the only point surrendered as he held serve to lead 1-0. A running touch backhand was the only thing positive for BA in his first service game, and he was broken. Both players were taken to deuce in games three and four, but from game two, serve was generally held with comfort.
Serving at 2-5 to stay in the set, BA won the second and third points in the game, but after leading 30-15 was passed by a Djokovic backhand, found the net with his own backhand, and that left him facing break point. A Spanish forehand landing out of court ended set one in Djokovic’s favour 6-2.
After exchanging love games at the start of set two, Djokovic was broken in game three. In a set where he faced no break points, BA won 20 of 24 points on his own serve. Djokovic saved two break points in the fifth game, but this set was never going anywhere but Spain. BA levelled at 2-6 6-4, converting his first set point with a lucky net cord.
A close third set was without a break until the sixth game, where Djokovic won the last two points on the BA serve with a volley and an overhead.
BA had Djokovic down 15-40 in the next game, but the defending champion stood firm, fighting off the two break points, the second in a remarkable rally lasting 45 shots, finishing with a classic Serb backhand down the line winner.
BA had missed a golden opportunity, but a love game forced Djokovic to serve it out, which he did, using the second of two set points. 6-2 4-6 6-3.
BA saved three break points in the opening game of set four before holding for 1-0. Djokovic then won five successive games, including two love games when at the line. BA held in the seventh game, and Djokovic served for the match at 5-2.
It took until the fifth match point, but Djokovic finally finished the match victorious 6-2 4-6 6-3 6-2.
In the final again, and a chance to defend his title.
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