VIENNA: Novak Djokovic won just three games in a lackluster quarter-final performance at the Erste Bank Open on Friday, losing 6-2 6-1 to 42nd Lorenzo Sonego
It was only Djokovic’s third loss of the year, after being disqualified for hitting a linesman with a ball at the US Open and losing the Roland-Garros final to Rafael Nadal
I came here with the intention of trying to earn more points and get No 1 at the end of the year I did this so I move on, says Djokovic
I’m happy, I’m happy, I’m in good health and I hope I can have a good finish (at the ATP Finals) in London
Djokovic lacked power in his groundstrokes and produced a series of mistakes from the start He quickly lost 4-0 behind, winning just five points on Sonegos’ serve in the first set
Djokovic improved slightly in the second, but missed all six break points before conceding his service match for a fifth time when Sonego closed the win with a pass shot
I did what I had to do and why I came here I totally agree with today’s result and look forward to the next chapter, said Djokovic
Djokovic will not defend his Paris Masters title next week ATP will not deduct any points in this shortened season due to the pandemic, while he also could not earn any extra points as champion In title
I would call it a blessing, being a father and husband is the best thing in the world I’m not far from home so I’m looking forward to it, he says
Sonego lost in the last qualifying round to Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia, but was added as a lucky loser in the main draw after several players pulled out due to injuries
The Italian became the first lucky loser to beat World No 1 since 2017 when Jordan Thomson knocked out Andy Murray in Queens
Additionally, Andrey Rublev has reached the semi-finals, continuing his quest for a record fifth ATP title this season
No 5-seeded Rublev beat defending champion Dominic Thiem 7-6 (5), 6-2 to stage a semi-final against 2018 champion Kevin Anderson, who defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-4 , 7-6 (5)
Rublev held two break points early against Thiem and won a quick first set in the tiebreaker
The eighth-placed Russian dominated second as Thiem looked embarrassed by a blister on his right foot
I was lucky Dominic had problems with his feet We have had some great battles in the past, said Rublev He added that winning two unreal rallies in the tiebreaker changed the quarterback of final in his favor
Novak Djokovic, Lorenzo Sonego, Vienna Open, Tennis, Association of Tennis Professionals, ATP Tour
News from the world – AU – Djokovic upset by Sonego, 42nd in the neighborhoods of Vienna
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com