Upcoming Match-ups

Djokovic vs Bautista Agut Odds & Betting Preview: ATP Western & Southern Open Semifinals

Hayley Graham

by Hayley Graham in Tennis

Updated Aug 26, 2020 · 6:18 PM PDT

Can Roberto Bautista Agut follow up his massive comeback win over Daniil Medvedev with a huge upset of Novak Djokovic? He's won the last two head-to-head meetings, but the world #1 has yet to lose a match this year. See the odds and betting analysis.
  • World No. 1 Novak Djokovic will face Roberto Bautista Agut in the Western & Southern Open semifinals Thursday at 3:00pm ET
  • This will be the 12th matchup between the two players
  • Bautista Agut is coming off one of an upset of Daniil Medvedev

Novak Djokovic tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this summer, decided only a week prior to the Western & Southern Open that he was going to participate, and has dominated the tournament thus far. Prior to the tournament, the #1 seed was the favorite to win, and he has only gotten shorter.

He’ll take on Roberto Bautista Agut who put on a show upsetting Daniil Medvedev in his quarterfinal match.

Djokovic vs Bautista Agut Semifinals Odds

Player Spread Moneyline Total at DraftKings
Novak Djokovic -590 -500 Over 20.5 (-120)
Roberto Bautista Agut +420 +370 Under 20.5 (-106)

Novak Djokovic’s Path to the Semis

World No.1 Djokovic has made his way to the semifinals without much of a challenge. He’s dominated his opponents, having not dropped a set yet in this tournament. Djokovic beat quarterfinal opponent Jan-Lennard Struff, 6-3, 6-1, in just 62 minutes while converting five of nine breakpoints.

The 2018 Western & Southern Open champion started off strong in his quarterfinal match, and never let up. He was able to take advantage of multiple errors from Struff to break for a 3-1 lead in the first set. Djokovic was once again dominant with his serve throughout.

Djokovic now has a 21-0 record on the year, and is making his fourth ATP Tour appearance of 2020. He will attempt to reach his seventh Western & Southern Open final when facing Bautista Agut in the semifinals.

Roberto Bautista Agut’s Path to the Semis

Bautista Agut is coming off what could arguably be the best comeback of the year in his quarterfinal match against Daniil Medvedev. A hal-hour into the match, Bautista Agut found himself serving in a 0-40 situation, trying to avoid going down 1-6, 0-1. The Spaniard ended up flipping a switch, and coming back and beat the defending champion, 1-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Two hours and 13 minutes later, Bautista Agut had saved 15 of 20 breakpoints, and won 71-percent of second serve return points to advance to the semifinals.

Head-to-Head Record

Djokovic and Agut are no strangers to one another. The two have faced each other a total of 11 times in singles play, and Djokovic holds an 8-3 record. But Bautista Agut has won two of their last three matches.

Novak Djokovic
VS
Roberto Bautista Agut
1 ATP Standing 12
8-3 Head-to-head record 3-8
0 Sets lost during tournament 2
15 Aces recorded during tournament 14

If Djokovic gives Bautista Agut any errors to work with, that’s where he will be able to gain an upper hand. Even in Djokovic’s previous losses to the Spaniard, Nole was controlling the match; Bautista Agut just took advantage of errors.

Best Bet

Djokovic has played  commanding and efficient tennis throughout his matches at the Western and Southern Open. Bautista Agut is coming off an incredible win, but it truly takes playing your best to win against Djokovic. As we know, Bautista Agut has beat Djokovic before, including twice in 2019, so if anyone of Djokovic’s opponents in this tournament can do it, it’s the Spaniard.

Both Djokovic’s serve and forehand have been extremely effective this tournament, which usually leads to him being unbeatable. My bet is on Djokovic to book his ticket to the final, but unlike his previous matchups, I think Bautista Agut will take him to three sets.

Pick: Over 20.5 (-120)

Author Image