Novak Djokovic insisted he had a "bad day" after crashing out of the Sydney International to the unseeded Jarkko Nieminen.
Defeat costs Serb chance to claim world No.2 spot
Novak Djokovic insisted he had a "bad day" after crashing out of the Sydney International to the unseeded Jarkko Nieminen.
Djokovic needed to reach the final of the event to overhaul world No.2 Roger Federer in the rankings, but the Serbian slipped to a straight sets defeat.
Nieminen overcame the Australian Open champion 6-4 7-6 (7-3) to set up a final showdown with Argentina's David Nalbandian, who beat Richard Gasquet 6-4 6-3.
And Djokovic admitted the loss had been a dent to his preparations for the Australian Open.
"I was thinking about those break points (in the tiebreaker), those missed opportunities," Djokovic said.
"My forehand didn't really work today, and you could see in all the important moments he served to my forehand and I couldn't put the ball in. It was just a bad day.
Credit
"It's always great to win a tournament prior to a grand slam, but he was better today. You have to give him credit for that.
"I just hope I will maintain my high level of performance. You know, it wasn't really what I expected, especially today. But we keep on going."
Former Wimbledon runner-up Nalbandian is chasing his 10th ATP title after securing his place in the final.
Gasquet rarely troubled the Argentinean as Nalbandian won nine straight points to close out the first set and then opened up a break in the second.
And although Gasquet broke back - helped by a crowd-pleasing 'between-the-legs' shot from behind the baseline - that was as good as it got for the Frenchman as Nalbandian went on to take the set and the match.
"Every day, I feel more feeling on the ball and on the game, so it's good playing a few matches and to be in the finals here," Nalbandian said.
"I have to keep going and believing in my game and try to do a good match tomorrow."
