NEW YORK — Top-ranked Novak Djokovic overcame more neck problems and advanced to the final of the Western & Southern Open on Friday with a 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (0) win over Roberto Bautista Agut, who won their previous three head-to-head matchups on hard courts.
Djokovic won the tournament for the first time in 2018, making him the first player to win all nine ATP Masters 1000 events. Another title would tie Djokovic with Rafael Nadal, who has 35 Masters titles, the most since the series began in 1990.
Djokovic has been bothered this week by a sore neck, and he got treatment twice during the match on Louis Armstrong Court. He also put his hand on his stomach repeatedly.
After blowing a 5-2 lead in the third set, Djokovic served three aces to sweep the tiebreaker.
Djokovic will face Milos Raonic, who beat fourth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6 (5), 6-3 after fighting off a break point in the first set. Djokovic is 10-0 against the Canadian.
The Western & Southern Open was moved from Mason, Ohio, to the US Open site in Flushing Meadows because of coronavirus pandemic precautions, creating a two-tournament event without spectators.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.