Novak Djokovic proved right as he suffers huge double blow with major impact
Novak Djokovic was denied the opportunity to match Roger Federer’s incredible haul of 103 titles at the Swiss Indoors this week, having suffered a shock defeat to Jan-Lennard Struff in the round of 16. The Serbian sensation enjoyed a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over Ugo Umbert on Wednesday before meeting the German big hitter on centre court.
While he managed to take the first set 7-6, Struff took the final two 7-5 and 7-6 to advance to the quarter-finals. There, he will face Nuno Borges on Friday evening.
It comes as Djokovic admitted that he was feeling rusty at the Basel-based tournament following his win over Umbert. He explained: “I was under attack from the very first point and had to weather the storm.
“It’s my first indoor match, so I expected to be a little bit rusty in a tough draw. It is a big win for me, I know there are quite a few things I can do better but a win is a win, and I will take that today.”
The loss means that Djokovic will be unable to match Federer’s unbelievable record of 103 career titles, and remain one behind the Swiss maestro. In a huge double blow, it has also impacted the 39-year-old’s chances of qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals.
Rafael Jodar’s loss to Valentin Vacherot on Thursday allowed Djokovic to overtake him in ninth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, in the event that he went on to win the title in Basel. However, in a cruel turn of events, Djokovic now trails Jodar by 319 points in 11th.
While it is still mathematically possible for Djokovic to qualify to the finals, he faces an uphill battle in doing so. That’s because the Rolex Paris Masters is the only remaining tournament before the seasonal finale.
Only the top seven in the rankings automatically qualify for the event, with the eighth place going to a Grand Slam winner ranked between eighth and 20th, or even the player who occupies eighth place in the standings.
Here are the top eight at present:
4) Ben Shelton
6) Flavio Cobolli
7) Arthur Fils
8) Frances Tiafoe
