Djokovic loses to 140th-ranked player at Barcelona Open; Nadal advances; Nishikori out injured

By Daily Sports on April 26, 2018

 

While Novak Djokovic struggles, Rafael Nadal keeps impressing.

Djokovic lost again on Wednesday, this time falling to 140th-ranked Martin Klizan 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 in the second round of the Barcelona Open.

Nadal, however, won again. He beat Roberto Carballes Baena 6-4, 6-4 for his 10th win in 11 ATP Tour matches this season.

Djokovic is trying to return to form after a lingering right elbow injury. He hasn't made it past the last 16 in five tournaments this year.

The 12th-ranked Serb got off to a slow start against Klizan but rebounded to force a third set. He was then broken while trailing 4-3, allowing the Slovak to serve out for the victory.

“It’s a great feeling, amazing,” said Klizan, who had never beaten Djokovic in four previous matches. “I know that he didn’t play top tennis but a win is a win and I’m happy to be in the third round. I always play good tennis in Barcelona, I'm just enjoying it.”

Djokovic decided to play in Barcelona after losing to Dominic Thiem in the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters. He also lost in the second round in Miami and in Indian Wells, and failed to advance past the last 16 at the Australian Open.

Nadal, coming off his 11th Monte Carlo title, trailed early in his match but closed it out to reach the third round.

The top-ranked Spaniard has won 38 consecutive sets on clay, extending his own record. He has won 32 of his last 33 matches on the surface, including 15 straight.

Nadal will next face Guillermo Garcia Lopez of Spain, who defeated Kei Nishikori after the Japanese player retired because of an injury.

Nadal needs to win his 11th Barcelona title this week to retain his No. 1 ranking.

Earlier, second-seeded Grigor Dimitrov defeated Gilles Simon of France 6-2, 6-1, while third-seeded Thiem beat qualifier Jaume Munar 7-6 (8), 6-1.(AP)

•Photo shows Djokovic

 

Source Daily Sports

Posted April 26, 2018


 

You may also like...
Brisbane To Host 2032 Olympics

Super Eagles maintain position in FIFA ranking

Ola Aina: Chelsea defender joins Hull City on...

Spurs hot on Blues’ heels, City third

Leicester Upset Spurs In Dramatic Encounter

Rennes Go Top Of Ligue 1 With Win...

 

Latest News Abraham set to join Besiktas from Roma 'Not impossible' Mbeumo will stay, say Brentford 'Turkish Messi' ready to replace Modric at Real Madrid Guardiola praises City’s performance despite Club World Cup exit Fluminense beat Inter Milan to reach Club World Cup quarter-finals Alcaraz avoids Fognini shock after fan taken ill Anambra School Sports Festival Ends In Emotional Grand Style As Njikoka Emerge Champions Club W’Cup: Chelsea face travel woes after group stage upset Lyon included in Ligue 1 fixtures despite demotion Adesanya eyes Strickland fight for UFC return Wilder ends losing streak, but questions linger Brentford reject Man Utd's new £62.5m Mbeumo bid

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,553 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,714 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,730 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (44,324 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (44,323 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (44,314 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (44,118 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,659 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,769 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,381 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,825 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (39,250 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media