Novak suffers shock defeat vs qualifier
INDIANWELLS: Novak Djokovic produced a puzzling performance as the former world No 1 lost to Japanese qualifier Taro Daniel in the second round at the BNP Paribas Open in California on Sunday.
On his return from right elbow surgery, Djokovic looked a pale shadow of his former self as he went down 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-1 to make a quick exit from a tournament he has won five times. Djokovic’s performance in the final set against the world’s 109th-ranked player on centre court raised some eyebrows.
Four times Grand Slam champion American Jim Courier questioned the Serb’s effort, saying Djokovic had “capitulated.” “The question marks surrounding his defeat today will only grow larger,” Courier said in commentary on the Tennis Channel.
“We wondered post surgery what it was going to look like, how his elbow was going to react to the strain and stress, but it was his heart and head that didn’t react the right way in this match. That is as head scratching as anything you’ll see.”
Twelve times Grand Slam champ Djokovic, who was seeded 10th, acknowledged his poor show. “It felt like the first match I have ever played on the Tour, very weird,” he said. “I just completely lost rhythm, everything, struggled a little bit with the health the last couple of weeks.
Holder Roger Federer was pushed by Argentine Federico Delbonis before winning 6-3, 7-6(6).
NISHIKORI WITHDRAWS
Japan’s Kei Nishikori said on Sunday he had withdrawn from Indian Wells through illness. “I have been sick for over a week and tried everything I could to get better,” the world No 25 said on the tournament’s Twitter account.
Nishikori was due to face Argentine Leonardo Mayer in the second round. He has been replaced by lucky loser Ruben Bemelmans of Belgium.