Djokovic’s bid for history ends with upset loss in ‘terrible match’
MASON, Ohio Novak Djokovic dumped another pressurepacked shot into the net and stood in place for a moment, stunned by another upset in Cincinnati. It’s the only place where he can’t win.
Top-ranked American John Isner ended Djokovic’s attempt to make ATP history Friday, beating the No. 1 player 7-6 (5), 3-6, 7-5 in the quarter-finals at the Western & Southern Open.
Djokovic has never won in Cincinnati, the only Masters event that has eluded him during his career. He has lost in the finals four times, including last year to Roger Federer. All he needs to do is hoist the winner’s trophy one time in Cincinnati to become the first player to win all nine Masters events. Wait until next year. Again. “It’s disappointing that I played this way,” Djokovic said.
Isner reached the semifinals in Cincinnati for the first time, knocking off a No. 1 for only the second time. His other No. 1 upset? He beat Djokovic at Indians Wells in the semifinals last year.
Soon after Djokovic got knocked out, No. 2 Andy Murray was gone, too. He failed to convert a break point while losing to Tomas Berdych 6-3, 6-4. Berdych also beat Murray in the quarter-finals at Madrid this year.
In the women’s draw, 14thseeded Jelena Jankovic beat 12th-seeded Roberta Vinci 6-0, 6-4 to reach the semifinals for the third time. She won the tournament in 2009 and lost the title match to Maria Sharapova in 2011.
Djokovic played poorly last year in his loss to Federer. He was off again Friday, which was especially frustrating since he came into the tournament motivated to make ATP history. “I just played a very bad match overall,” he said. “Terrible match. From beginning to end, except the start of the second set, I was just a different player totally.”