Novak’s quest for a fourth Shanghai Rolex Masters crown is over after a surprise semi-final defeat to no.15 seed Roberto Bautista Agut on Saturday.
The top seed and defending champion failed to win a set in the one hour, 48-minute encounter. Bautista Agut won 6-4, 6-4 to score his first victory in six meetings with Novak.
After capturing the first set with a break in the 10th game, the Spaniard continued the momentum into the second set. Novak came back twice and saved three match points in the ninth game, but Bautista Agut earned one more chance and broke Djokovic’s serve again to reach his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 final.
“He was a better player, no question about it,” Djokovic said. “In important moments, he was more consistent. He was more solid. I just made too many unforced errors. This is one of those days. Things go in an opposite direction than you want them, but again, it’s a lesson. Every day is a lesson.”
Match statistics: aces (4-5), double faults (2-1), winners (23-17), unforced errors (29-26), break points won (2/9-4/5), total points won (71-75).
The Serbian and world no.1 was chasing his eighth tour-level title of the season and was bidding to add to the Shanghai trophies he won in 2012, 2013 and 2015.
Novak’s next tournament is the BNP Paribas Masters, taking place in the AccorHotels Arena in Paris from October 31 to November 6. He defeated Andy Murray for the title last year (6-2, 6-4).
Photo: AFP / Getty Images
