“I lost this game by myself. I just lost a bit of concentration. I started playing more defensively," says Djokovic. PHOTO: AFP
ROME: Big-serving Czech Tomas Berdych caused the first major upset of the Rome Masters yesterday when he ousted world number one and top-seed Novak Djokovic of Serbia.
Berdych, who had beaten Djokovic only once in their last 14 meetings, prevailed 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 to book himself an unlikely place in the semi-finals and boost his chances ahead of the French Open.
Berdych’s serve and his combinations of shots had Djokovic in trouble from the middle of the second set, when he launched his fightback.
Although he paid tribute to his opponent, Djokovic said, “I lost this game by myself. I just lost a bit of concentration. I started playing more defensively.
“The match turned around, he gained confidence and I had a few unforced errors. At this level you have to take the opportunities when they come to you.”
Earlier, French surprise package Benoit Paire continued his good run of form by qualifying for the final four with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Spaniard Marcel Granollers.
Serena breezes into semi-finals
In the WTA event, top-seed Serena Williams booked her place in the semi-finals after a comfortable 6-2, 6-0 win over Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro.
Williams took just over 56 minutes on Central Court to brush aside the Spaniard, who offered little in reply to the American’s all-round more powerful game.
The world number one, who will claim her 51st WTA title if she triumphs this weekend, will meet the winner of the quarter-final between Jelena Jankovic and Simona Halep.
Asked whether she felt she was in the prime of her career despite turning 30 years old, she said, “Maybe, I have been pretty consistent and healthy – knock on wood – so maybe yes.
“Never felt better, or healthier or younger.”
If successful in her semi-final, Williams will meet the winner of the second semi-final between Errani and Samantha Stosur or Victoria Azarenka.
Williams earned her 50th career singles title, by beating Sharapova in the final of the Madrid Masters.
Sharapova pulls out due to sickness
Ailing Maria Sharapova said the thought of not recovering in time for the French Open had prompted her to pull out of the Rome Open before her quarter-final match yesterday.
Sharapova, a two-time winner and the world number two, had been due to play Italy’s Sara Errani in the quarter-finals.
However, the Russian announced her withdrawal yesterday morning citing sickness and claiming she had run a temperature overnight.
“I’ve a lot on my schedule and they all mean a lot for me and obviously with
the French Open coming up it is important to make smart decisions,” said Sharapova.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 18th, 2013.
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