MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — In what is usually one of his most successful stretches of the season, top-ranked Novak Djokovic fell short of expectations for the second time this month, losing, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, to No. 22 Roberto Bautista Agut in the fourth round of the Miami Open on Tuesday afternoon. After gaining a foothold in the match early in the second set, Bautista Agut endured a 40-minute rain delay before drawing level. After breaking for a 3-1 advantage, Bautista Agut dropped his serve but then broke Djokovic again immediately, extending his lead to 5-2 before the two traded holds to finish the match. “The key of the match was at the beginning of the second set, no?” Bautista Agut said. “If I wanted to win the match, I had to be very close at the score. Otherwise Novak, when he gets an advantage, he plays really aggressive.” Indeed, Djokovic had never previously lost a match at the Miami Open after winning the first set, a string of 41 matches.<doc-sep>MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- The other day, Novak Djokovic admitted that skiing "kind of runs in my veins," revealing that he would never sign an endorsement contract that forbade him from strapping on the boards. On Tuesday, Djokovic missed a gate again and crashed out of the Miami Open in the fourth round, losing earlier than expected in his second consecutive tournament. The top seed in Miami, Djokovic ripped through the first set against Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut in 33 minutes. But Djokovic slowly came undone and, after a brief rain delay, lost 1-6, 7-5, 6-3. It was No. 22 seed Bautista Agut's second win over the world's top-ranked player this year. "This kind of match I should not have lost," Djokovic admitted. "So many opportunities. Just way too many wasted opportunities." Tuesday's match was difficult to digest and even harder to explain, although the details are simple enough. Bautista Agut, an excellent hard-court player despite his clay-court heritage, stepped up his aggression in the second set. Djokovic, widely praised as perhaps the best serve returner in the game, was unable to capitalize on his break points, converting just four of 13. The baffling bit is that Djokovic has traditionally flourished in March, and he set out to add an unprecedented fifth "Sunshine Double" (back-to-back victories at Indian Wells and Miami, both prestigious Masters events) with the wind at his back. He's been nearly invincible since a commanding win at Wimbledon last July began his resurgence from a slump of nearly two years. Djokovic is superb on outdoor hard courts, his game slightly more adaptable to the ambient conditions at the brace of March tournaments than that of Roger Federer. The 31-year-old Serb recently logged a Sunshine Double hat trick (2014-16), but in the three ensuing years he hasn't made a quarterfinal at either event. It helps explain why he still looked a mite shell-shocked when he met with reporters following the loss. Djokovic has played well this month in fits and starts. After his opening-round bye in Miami, he made short work of Bernard Tomic, but then Federico Delbonis fought him to a draw in two sets before capitulating in the third set of their third-round match. It was the kind of warning that a great player in top form uses to reinvigorate his game. Djokovic's failure to put the hammer down on Bautista Agut hearkened back to those days in late 2016 and '17 when he often seemed distracted and unable to play with a clear mind. Djokovic doesn't see any reason to panic. He didn't feel he did much wrong earlier this month at Indian Wells, where he was beaten by in the third round by clever German veteran Philipp Kohlschreiber. Here in Miami, Djokovic said, "I thought I played well today and throughout this entire tournament. Just one, two, three sluggish games, that's what happened." Is he just rationalizing? Djokovic has been busier than ever these days with extra-tennis activities, not least of which is the political minefield he has wandered into as president of the ATP Player Council. Djokovic hasn't declared his allegiance, but he's widely thought to be a driving force in the faction that engineered the successful ouster of ATP president Chris Kermode. That means meetings -- lots of meetings. And stress, as fellow stars Federer, Rafael Nadal and Stan Wawrinka all supported Kermode. Miami Open Schedule The Miami Open runs through March 31. Here's the remaining schedule and how you can watch on the ESPN family of networks: Date Event Time (ET) Channel March 30 Women's finals 1 p.m. ESPN2 March 31 Men's finals 1 p.m. ESPN2 Djokovic was asked Tuesday if his off-court activities might be harming his ability to play at his peak level. Generally a man of many words, Djokovic tersely replied, "There is always a lot happening in my life." Tennis players work hard and enter every tournament focused on the task at hand, highly motivated. But as they grow older, the ground shifts under their feet and their priorities subtly change, sometimes without them even knowing it. Djokovic is 31 now, gorged with success, and a happy husband and father of two. Perhaps that Sunshine Double doesn't mean quite as much as it once did. This is a man who is always talking about "evolving." Why shouldn't his motivations and priorities in tennis change? "Well, I mean, the Slams are the ones that count the most," Djokovic said, referring to tournaments. "I mean, without a doubt. So of course I prioritize those. But that hasn't changed much. I have been having this kind of schedule for many years. But that's sport. You have to deal with it. It's not the first time I lose early in both tournaments." Djokovic said he "definitely" will have to rethink his preparation for the March tournaments next year. When pressed on what he might do differently, he contradicted his earlier claim, saying: "I just had, you know, way too many things off the court. I guess that affected me a little bit on the court." It's a tricky time for the 15-time Grand Slam champion, who has an abiding desire to be more than a ferociously focused title machine. He has always been a seeker of enlightenment and has longed to be a man of substance, influencing the world he inhabits. Sometimes life is tricky, full of sharp turns and twists. Kind of like slalom course.<doc-sep>Novak Djokovic has conceded his off-court distractions played a part in his shock round of 16 exit at the hands of Roberto Bautista Agut at the Miami Open on Wednesday. The World No. 1’s pursuit of a record seventh Miami title ended in dramatic fashion as Bautista Agut recovered from a first set destruction to win 1-6 7-5 6-3 and book a place in the quarter-finals. Tennis commentators were stunned at Djokovic’s struggles after motoring through the opening set. The Serb star went against his set routines to hold his press conference immediately after the loss — and he had plenty to say. The ATP Player Council president even admitted the turbulent start to 2019, which saw former ATP Tour chief executive Chris Kermode sacked — and many commentators claim Djokovic’s prints were on the murder weapon — was getting to him. “Just way too many things off the court. I guess that affected me a little bit on the court,’ he said straight after his defeat. “I didn’t feel my best. There is always a lot happening in my life.” Novak Djokovic on his Sunshine Swing (a third round defeat in Indian Wells and a fourth round defeat in Miami): "Just way too many things off the court. I guess that affected me a little bit on the court. I didn't feel my best." — Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) March 27, 2019 Djokovic said last week he is still getting along with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, despite finding himself in the firing line after advocating for the dismissal of Kermode. Kermode was ousted in controversial fashion at Indian Wells after a vote and Federer and Nadal ripped top-ranked Djokovic, for failing to contact them over the decision. He and Nadal had both been in Kermode’s corner and did not see the need for change at the top of the game. Djokovic last week played down any notion of a rift with Federer and Nadal, saying he welcomed their views on the controversial ousting of Kermode, while Federer said he would not “chase” Djokovic for an answer. “We welcome them as well as anyone else who wants to join the political discussions,” Djokovic said of the views of his two fellow legends. “The player council is only part of the structure. We are not part of the board or deciding anything. We are in consultation and collaboration with player board representatives. “Federer and Nadal have been icons of our sport for so many years and their opinions are extremely important to everyone. If they want to be active and part of it, either officially or unofficially, I think it’s only positive for us. “I saw Roger today. We were cutting the ribbon at the opening of the centre court (in Miami). “We had a small chat but there was no time to talk about the political stuff. Hopefully we will have time in the next few days to go through some things. “It’s not necessary for people to create any tensions or divisions between us. On the contrary, I have a good relationship with both of them. We always respected each other. We are rivals of course so it’s hard to be friends.” It was all just a bit much for Djokovic, who suffered his second loss to Spaniard Bautista Agut this year. It was also the first time Djokovic has ever lost in Miami after winning the first set. He was previously a perfect 41-0 after winning the first set in Miami. Per @stephtrudel, this is Novak Djokovic's first ever loss at #MiamiOpen when winning the first set (previously 41-0). Combine that with Osaka, and it's been a rough tournament for great frontrunners. — Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) March 26, 2019 Don't think anyone saw that coming. After Djokovic took Nadal to the tennis woodshed in the Australian Open final, he loses to Kohlschreiber in the round of 32 in Indian Wells and to Bautista Agut in the round of 16 in Miami. Perhaps he's peaking for the Slams. Perhaps — Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) March 26, 2019 Wow. Roberto Bautista Agut beats Novak Djokovic for the 2nd time in 2019. 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 to reach the Miami QFs vs John Isner. [getty] pic.twitter.com/8zCJZR4vq3 — José Morgado (@josemorgado) March 26, 2019 It was difficult to see Djokovic’s collapse coming as he raced to a 5-0 lead after 25 minutes. A short rain delay late in the second set allowed Bautista Agut to regroup, however. He returned a completely different player and at the end of an absorbing two hours and 29 minutes, it was the No. 22 seed who will now meet defending champion John Isner for a place in the semi-finals. “Of course this is very special for me,” said Bautista Agut. “I just tried to play aggressive.” Djokovic left court and headed straight to a press conference to try and explain this most remarkable of turnarounds at Hard Rock Stadium. “He is a solid player but I shouldn’t have lost this match, I had way too many wasted opportunities,” he said. “I thought I played well today and during this tournament but two or three sluggish games and that’s what happens.” — with AFP<doc-sep>
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Novak Djokovic has had a rough couple of weeks on the court. The top-seeded Djokovic was upset by Roberto Bautista Agut 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 in the fourth round of the Miami Open on Tuesday. He also made an early exit from Indian Wells earlier in the month. Djokovic was looking to win the 850th match of his career against Bautista Agut, but that achievement will have to take place at another tournament. "This kind of match I should not have lost," Djokovic said. "I lost the momentum, I lost the rhythm in the second set. I gave him a little room to step in and he did. A little hope that he can come back, and he made a great comeback. "But fault is on me, for sure. I had way too many opportunities that I wasted." Djokovic lost to Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany in the third round at Indian Wells. Djokovic, the president of the ATP Player Council, has been a central figure in recent ATP off-court news. He was involved when the ATP Board of Directors decided this month not to renew the contract of ATP Executive Chairman Chris Kermode when it expires at the end of the year. Initially on Tuesday, Djokovic denied his recent losses were affected by his off-court activities within the game, but later admitted that it might have taken a toll. "Way too many things off the court," Djokovic 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." After racing through the first set against Bautista Agut in 33 minutes, Djokovic lost control of the match. He only took advantage of four of 13 break points presented, and had his own serve broken on three of seven break points he faced. "One, two, three sluggish games, and that's what happened," Djokovic added. Djokovic was leading 6-1, 4-5 when rain delayed play for 30 minutes. Returning to the court, Djokovic surrendered his serve on a second break point in the 12th game to lose the second set. The Serb recouped one service break in the third set, but he lost his serve again in the sixth game to fall behind 2-4. Djokovic holds a 7-3 record over Bautista Agut, but the Spaniard has now beaten him the past two times they've played. Bautista Agut defeated Djokovic in a three-set semifinal at the Qatar Open in January. Earlier in the day, defending champion John Isner advanced to the quarterfinals by securing a 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3) win over No. 19 seed Kyle Edmund. Isner, the seventh seed, has played five tiebreak sets in six sets played in his three-match wins to reach this year's quarters. In a women's quarterfinal match, Australia's Asheigh Barty defeated two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic, 7-6 (6), 3-6, 6-2. Earlier Tuesday, Kvitova learned that the man who stabbed her in an attack in her home in 2016 was sentenced eight years in prison by a court in the Czech Republic. "Yeah, I heard that, for sure. I heard that this morning," she said. "I accepted the news. I'm happy for the news, and I'm glad it's over now." Roger Federer's scheduled fourth-round match against 13th-seeded Daniil Medvedev of Russia, scheduled as the second match on the stadium court, was postponed until Wednesday because of a long rain delay. The match will now take place not before 3:00 p.m. Wednesday. The tournament planned to complete the other three matches scheduled for Tuesday night.