Serbian star suffers third-straight loss for first time on ATP Tour since 2007 - Del Potro survives scare to book third round date
Saturday 24 March 2018 14:43, UK
Novak Djokovic suffered his third consecutive defeat as the former world No 1 fell at the first hurdle in the Miami Open on Friday, beaten by Benoit Paire.
Six-time champion Djokovic saw his 16-match Key Biscayne winning streak ended with a straightforward 6-3 6-4 loss to talented Frenchman Benoit Paire in the second round.
It was another setback for the ninth seed as he bids to return from the elbow injury that sidelined him for six months and finally saw him have a minor surgical intervention after a disappointing Australian Open. He was upset two weeks ago in the second round at Indian Wells by Taro Daniel, a 109th-ranked qualifier.
"I'm trying, but it's not working," Djokovic said. "That's all it is. I mean, obviously I'm not feeling great when I'm playing this way. Of course I want to be able to play as well as I want to play. Just, it's impossible at the moment. That's all."
"I felt I started the match well, first six games. Then I just ran out of gas. He was serving well. I just wasn't able to break him down. He was just coming up with the good shots at the right time. It happened very fast."
Really good performance by Benoit Paire. I think you have to say he was aided by the fact that his opponent showed no resistance - not even mentally. Novak didn't even bring any body language to the fore - he just appeared not to know what he wanted to do or what it was that he had to do to impose his game. Novak has a lot of work to do. He's just going to have to grind it out and hopefully the clay-court season can bring him some joy.
Paire broke Djokovic in the seventh game of the opening set - part of a run of five straight games that saw him take a 6-3, 1-0 lead.
Djokovic, now ranked 12th in the world, dug deep to escape a 0-40 hole and hold serve in the next game before Paire broke him for a 4-2 lead.
Djokovic responded with his first break of the match to put the set back on serve, but he had no answer in the final game as his 28-year-old opponent broke to love to seal the win.
I think physically he's not the same, but I hope he's going to be the same soon because I like him and I like his play.
"I'm really happy," Paire told Sky Sports. "It was not an easy match because I know Djokovic is one of the best players on tour and he was a little bit injured, but I'm happy to see him back and I hope he will be 100 per cent soon.
"I think I'm more focused on tennis and I'm really happy with my game. Last week I had a problem with my back so I'm really happy with my match today. I think the key is my serve and I need to be more focused and serious."
And when asked by Mark Petchey about the difference between Djokovic now and 2015, Paire added: "I think physically he's not the same, but I hope he's going to be the same soon because I like him and I like his play. He served well today, he put a lot of first serves in, but physically he's not the same and not 100 per cent."
Also back in action after a brilliant title in Indian Wells is Juan Martin del Potro. Perhaps feeling the effects of his success in the Californian desert, the Argentine needed three sets to beat Robin Haase in the evening session.
Eventually a 6-4 6-7 6-2 was enough to account for the Dutchman and set up an intriguing looking third round meeting with Kei Nishikori who is making his own way back to form and fitness after injury problems of his own.
Meanwhile, second seed Croatian Marin Cilic moved into the third round with a 7-5 6-3 triumph over Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
"It was a solid performance," the Australian Open finalist told Sky Sports. "I think I played really well off the ground. I didn't serve too well today and didn't get as many free points off my first serve as I wanted but I was hitting my forehands quite well, moved well, and created enough opportunities on the return game so that was pleasing."
David Goffin was unsuccessful in his return from an eye injury, the seventh-seeded Belgian falling to Portugal's Joao Sousa 6-0 6-1, while there was a scare for world no 4 Grigor Dimitrov who came from a set down to beat Masimilian Marterer 4-6 6-2 6-1.
American wild card Michael Mmoh produced another surprise, upsetting 12th seeded Roberto Bautista Agut 7-6 (7-4) 2-6 6-4.
Diego Schwartzman, the 13th seed, dominated Chilean Nicolas Jarry 6-3 6-1 while Milos Raonic cruised into the third round with a 6-3 6-3 victory over Swede Mikael Ymer that took 66 minutes.
You can watch more ATP Masters 1000 action from the Miami Open when we continue our coverage on Sky Sports Mix, which you can find on channel 287, and is free for all Sky customers, on Saturday at 3pm, or via the Red Button on Sky Sports Arena. The action will continue on SS Arena from 8pm.
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