Djokovic upbeat despite Qatar exit

Doha, Jan 5: Novak Djokovic was pleased with his week at the Qatar Open even though he bowed out at the semi-final stage on Friday (January 4).

The world number one was looking to becoming a three-time champion at the event in Doha but was unable to get past Roberto Bautista Agut in the last four, the Spaniard coming from a set down to win 3-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-4.

Defeat saw Djokovic's 13-game winning run in Qatar come to an end, but he was not too frustrated – even if he did smash a racket in the second set – as he continues to prepare for the first grand slam of the season.

"I want to congratulate him," said Djokovic. "Especially in the third set he played well. I thought he was hitting the ball very cleanly and not making a lot of errors.

"He played a good game. I missed some easy balls and that's what you get as a result of losing the focus in the most important moments. And it happens, it happens.

"[But] this is what I was looking forward to, to get from this tournament, as many matches as possible, to get ready for the Australian Open. So I'm very pleased.

"Obviously, I'm not pleased that I lost the match today, but I lost to a better player in the end and I have to turn the next page.

"I was very close to winning the match. A few points decided the winner. He was the one."