Roberto Bautista Agut upset Novak Djokovic 1-6 7-5 6-3 and advance to the quarter-finals of the Miami Open as the Spaniard claimed his second win over the Serb this year.
Djokovic blasted the 22nd seed off the court in the opening set but Bautista Agut grew more aggressive in the second, stepping in to take his second serves early and baiting his opponent into extended rallies.
The tide turned in Bautista Agut's favor in the third when, after both players exchanged service breaks, an uncharacteristically sloppy Djokovic sent a backhand wide to fall behind 4-2.
Three games later Bautista Agut smacked a forehand winner down the line to seal the win, which was reminiscent of Bautista Agut's come-from-behind victory over Djokovic in the semi-finals of the Qatar Open in January.
"The key of the match was at the beginning of the second set," Bautista Agut said after his latest victory. "I played more aggressive."
The loss capped a disappointing trip through the United States for Djokovic, who fell in straight sets to Philipp Kohlschreiber in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells earlier this month.
The Serb said he would "rethink" how he prepared for the early-season American swing next year.
"I just had way too many things off the court," he said. "I guess that affected me a little bit on the court.
"I didn't feel my best health-wise, as well, in Indian Wells and here. You know, still rusty, but, hey, look, you learn that's life."
Djokovic was eliminated before an evening rain delay pushed Roger Federer's match against Russia's Daniil Medvedev back to Wednesday.
Next up for Bautista Agut is a quarter-final date with defending champion John Isner, who was a 7-6(5) 7-6(3) winner over Britain's Kyle Edmund earlier in the day.
Article from Reuters
