Sat, May 12, 2012
MADRID, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Janko Tipsarevic produced another surprise in the Mutua Madrid Open Friday when he defeated fellow countryman, top seed and tournament favorite Novac Djokovic 7-6 (2) , 6-3.
The win for the seventh seed means that last year's tournament winner, Djokovic follows Rafael Nadal, who was beaten by Fernnado Verdasco on Thursday, out of the tournament, along with No. 4 seed Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, another player who crashed out of the competition ahead of schedule.
Djokovic rarely looked comfortable during his match and his exit will merely serve to raise more questions about the blue clay playing surface that both the Serb and Nadal have not only complained about, but said will cause them to miss next year's tournament if it is not changed.
The first 12 games in the first set went with serve, with Djorkovic looking the more comfortable in the opening games. Tipsaravic was forced to defend a couple of break points, but gained in confidence as he successfully did so and then struck in the tie break after opening up a 4-0 lead with two mini-breaks.
Tipsarevic had lost in Dubai to Djokovic three months ago and was clearly focused, which Djokovic was irritated by the playing service and struggled to find his usual poise and focus.
As a result it was no surprise that he continued his dogged form, while Djokovic saw his first serve lose effectiveness. Djokovic wasted seven break points in the match, Tipsarevic had just one, but he took it and that was enough to decide the second set and the match.
"It's true it's slippery, but the clay won't be like this next year. If Nadal and Djokovic don't come we will lament it and it will be sad, but I hope they are professional," tourmanment promoter Ion Tiriac said later with words which are unlikely to have improved either Nadal or Djokovic's moods.
