Aisam-Rojer knocked out of Madrid Masters

Duo crashes out in second round after straight-sets defeat.

KARACHI: Aisamul Haq Qureshi and his Dutch partner Jean-Julien Rojer’s challenge at the Madrid Open men’s doubles event came to an end with a straight-sets defeat to Jeremy Chardy and Lukasz Kubot 6-2, 7-6 in the second round yesterday.

The Pakistan tennis ace and his partner were outplayed in the opening set but, despite putting up an improved show in the second, were knocked out by the France-Poland pair.

The defeat was the pair’s second successive loss this week with the two going down in the final of the Portugal Open on Sunday.

However, Aisam said he was confident over the duo’s chances in Rome before they gear up for the French Open.

“I need a week to recuperate from the exhaustion,” Aisam told The Express Tribune. “Our aim is to do well at the French Open. Both Madrid Masters and Rome Masters will help us prepare for the Grand Slam.”

Djokovic blames lack of preparation

World number one Novak Djokovic believes his preparation for the Madrid Masters was badly affected by not being able to practise due to an ankle injury after he was knocked out in the second round of the men’s singles event by Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 (8-6), 6-7(8-10), 6-3.

Djokovic had recovered from rolling the injured right ankle whilst playing for Serbia against the US on Davis Cup action last month to claim his first clay title in the Monte Carlo Masters a fortnight ago.

However, he said he did not know whether he would even take part in the Spanish capital until Saturday, although he also acknowledged that he had been beating by the better player on the evening.

“I didn’t prepare myself so well, but, look I’m not trying to find any excuses for the loss,” said Djokovic. “I tried to do my best in this moment, and maybe my best is not like it was in Monte Carlo.

“All the credit also to Dimitrov, because he was the better player on the court. He was striking the ball really well, serving great, changing the pace, and he deserved to win, as I said.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 9^th, 2013.