Djokovic plays bizarre game in surprising loss to Karlovic

Ivo Karlovic upset Novak Djokovic 6-7(2), 7-6(6), 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open on Thursday. It was a huge win for Karlovic, but the biggest story may have been a game Djokovic played late in the third set.

After getting broken at 3-3, the world No. 1 pushed Karlovic to deuce in the eighth game but failed to get back on serve. In his ensuing service game, Djokovic played at warp speed while serve and volleying on every point. He managed to hold before Karlovic held at love to clinch victory.

Djokovic’s 3-5 service game:

It wasn’t quite like Fabio Fognini’s legendary service game at the 2013 Cincinnati Masters….
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y15DHHSBHtk]

…Nor was there any blatant point-tanking like Stan Wawrinka last fall….
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjBdnQQ6hm8]

…But it was the most bizarre game Djokovic has played since THIS (albeit far less hysterical):
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh0vAYBAQqU]

31 Comments on Djokovic plays bizarre game in surprising loss to Karlovic

  1. Ahaha. Id forgotten all about that Djok Delpo match. Watched it on live on TV. Bizarre! Did we ever get an explanation? I’ve seen him do the odd wobble since, never anything like that though!

  2. I didn’t watch the Novak-Karlovic match, the commies kept saying Novak was riled, what was he riled at, that he was losing?

    Sure looked to me like he was mocking Karlovic with that S & V routine, and not sitting down the changeovers going straight to the service line other side of the net?? Didn’t look like a good loser attitude to me………

  3. People say Fed is best indoors and not so much outdoors but I think it’s Novak who should have that tag! Novak truly does not like the wind at all. He is abysmal in windy conditions and then his short temper gets in the way and makes him do stupid things like serve and volley or touch the net.

    I hope Paris has gale force winds this year so we can be spared the “Nole is favourite for Roland Garros” bs………..

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.




Skip to toolbar