World No.1 Novak Djokovic suffered his first defeat of the new season in the Qatar Open semi-finals on Friday, losing in three sets to Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut.
"It was an unbelievable atmosphere. I work every day to play this tennis. I know it's difficult to play at this level. That's why Novak is number one in the world. But I cannot be more happy than I am now," said 30-year-old Agut who won 3-6 7-6(6) 6-4 in two hours and 35 minutes.
"Obviously, I'm not pleased that I lost the match today, but I lost to a better player in the end," said Djokovic.
Roberto Bautista Agut celebrates a point during his match against Novak Djokovic during the Qatar Open in Doha, Qatar, January 04, 2019. /VCG Photo
World No. 24 Agut will face Tomas Berdych in the title clash after the Czech beat fourth-seeded Italian Marco Cecchinato 7-6(6) 6-3 in the other semi-final.
It is the second time the Spaniard has beaten Djokovic in his career and both victories occurred in a semifinal.
The first came in October 2016 in Shanghai, when Djokovic was also world No. 1.
Defeat meant Djokovic, who won Wimbledon and the U.S. Open last year in a spectacular return to form after elbow surgery, missed the chance to reach his sixth straight final.
The six-time Australian Open champion said his Grand Slam target for later this month is "a trophy."
The Serb won his last Australian Open in 2016, beating Britain's Andy Murray in straight sets.
(With input from Xinhua and AFP)