Novak Djokovic’s struggles in the early stages of the clay-court swing have continued.
Djokovic lost in the quarterfinals of the inaugural Srpska Open on Friday evening, falling to fellow Serb Dusan Lajovic 6-4, 7-6(6). The world No. 1 led 6-3 in the second-set tiebreaker but lost the last five points of the match to crash out after two hours and 29 minutes.
It was a result that didn’t exactly come out of nowhere, despite Djokovic obviously being a massive favorite. The 35-year-old missed Indian Wells and Miami, and rust had already been showing on clay. He lost to Lorenzo Musetti in the Monte-Carlo third round and dropped a set to 18-year-old Frenchman Luca van Assche in his Banja Luka opener.
Although the scoreline was competitive from start to finish, Lajovic won a lot more points (98 to 89) and a lot more big points. Djokovic went a horrendous 1-for-16 on break points–1-for-11 in the first set and 0-for-5 in the second.
Lajovic had plenty of chances in the second, as well. The world No. 70 got a look at two break points at 2-2, led 0-40 at 4-4, and had a 0-30 opening at 5-5. Even though he never converted, Lajovic raised his level when it mattered most at the end of the ensuing tiebreaker. He saved three set points, brought up match point when Djokovic missed an overhead smash from the baseline at 6-6, and capitalized on it with a clinching forehand winner.
“I’m overwhelmed,” Lajovic assured. “It is the biggest win of my career. The emotions are very mixed because I’m playing here in front of the home [crowd] and I’m also playing against Nole, who is a good friend and he’s a hero of our country. Beating him, it’s something that I didn’t even think is going to be possible. But it happened.”
nice one, Dutzee
If this happened in the racing industry Nole would have been charged and fined for not giving a horse every chance to win.
and yet Nole is still the bookies’ favourite to win Roland Garros.