Janko Tipsarevic rules out Novak Djokovic from season finale – Barclays ATP World Tour Finals 2011
Disappointment for Novak Djokovic’s fans, as he was beaten by his fellow compatriot and fast friend, Janko Tipsarevic, in the all-crucial Group A matchup in the round robin at the season’s grand finale, the Barclays ATP (Association
of Tennis Professionals) World Tour Finals on Friday night.
The crowd at the glorious O2 Arena in London witnessed one of the most amazing comebacks of the tournament from the alternate Tipsarevic, who recovered from being one-set down to turn the tables on the top seed Djokovic at 3-6,
6-3, 6-3. The three-set thriller lasted for two hours and seven minutes to dump the world number one Djokovic from the competition, making way for the seventh seed Tomas Berdych to clinch a semi-final berth from Group A.
Djokovic fell 1-2 in the tournament, as he was defeated by the fifth ranked David Ferrer of Spain earlier in round robin match. Ferrer joins Berdych in the semi-finals from group A, while Tipsarevic’s win ended Djokovic’s voyage
at the circuit finale on Friday night.
The reigning world number has been the most successful player on the ATP World Tour this season, with a 70-6 winning record and 10 championship titles which include three prestigious Grand Slams and five Masters 1000 trophies.
Djokovic was the hot favourite for the ATP World Tour Finals but his persistent shoulder injury has seemed to have taken away his belligerence from his game in the last few weeks. He had a brilliant start to the Friday’s contest against Tipsarevic but gradually
lost his steam in the later parts of the match to end on the losing side.
“He [Tipsarevic] deserved to win,” admitted Djokovic. “He was the better player in the second part of the match. It's obvious it's never easy to perform against somebody you know very well. Regardless who is across the net, obviously
you want to win. That was the case today. But it wasn't meant to be. I'm glad he got the chance to play and got the chance to win as well. It can give him a lot of confidence for next year.”
Tipsarevic belted 21 winners and four aces, along with four cracking break points in the matchup to come out as the winner. Djokovic’s two out of four break point conversions were not good enough to contain the other Serb competitor
in the game and the top seed eventually had to pack his bags to leave London.
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