NOVAK Djokovic just found a way to win. As has become a staple of the world number one’s game when challenged, the Serbian star just got it done when it counted. In what was a three-hour epic semi-final contest against Roberto Bautista Agut, the Spaniard had his chances, stunning his highly ranked opponent by winning the first set, then in the deciding third set, broke in the 11th game to be serving for the match. At one stage, Bautista Agut was 30-30 in the 12th game, but could not close it out, as Djokovic went to another level. The Serbian forced it into a deciding tiebreaker and then absolutely smashed the brave counter puncher with a handful of aces and winners on his way to a 7-0 tiebreak and secure a 4-6 6-4 7-6.

One had to feel from Bautista Agut, who forced Djokovic to play some inspired tennis, serving up 14 aces but never fully looking in control. He also produced seven double faults and only served at 56 per cent efficiency, winning 69 per cent of his points off his first serve. For all his skill and shotmaking, Djokovic was ultimately matched by Bautista Agut’s perseverance, who looked down and out himself at 2-5 in the third set, before reeling off four straight games – including two breaks against the world number one – to be 6-5 up. Then he served his second ace of the match in that 12th game to go back to 30-30. Unfortunately for the world number 12, it would be his last winning point of the match as Djokovic reeled off nine straight points and booked a spot in yet another final to keep his unbeaten streak in 2020 alive.

Even the world number one was a little surprised he emerged victorious in the encounter.

“[It was a] very strange match, I must say. I don’t know how I won it, to be honest. He was the better player,” Djokovic said post-match. “I just didn’t feel good on the court at all, in any aspect of my game and of the body. “But somehow, I managed to pull this one through.”

Now Djokovic will take on Milos Raonic after the Canadian defeated Greek star, Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets, 7-6 6-3. It was Raonic’s first ATP Masters 1000 final in four and a half years, winning a remarkable 90 per cent of his first serve points (35 of 39) in one hour and 37 minutes. Unfortunately for the star who only faced one break point in the match, his record in Masters 1000 finals is not good, going none from three attempts in the past and now he has the challenge of the world number one in front of him.

“It would be incredible [to win an ATP Masters 1000 title],” Raonic said post-match. “Just generally as part of my career, it’s not just the past six months coming back [and] playing. “Just with everything else, I want to go to heights I haven’t achieved yet and this is a part of it. “This is what I’ve worked hard for with very clear, specific goals and I hope that I can get that step closer and maybe make a difference tomorrow.”

Playing before the result of the Djokovic-Bautista Agut match was decided, Raonic said regardless it was about being aggressive and limiting unforced errors.

“For me I’ve got to find a way to first ball,” Raonic said. “I put a lot of pressure on guys with my serve. I’ve got to make them play, I’ve got to make them think on their serve. If I’m giving too many free things away, it makes my service game harder and also takes a lot of pressure that I build up with my service games off of them.”