Djokovic eliminated in quarterfinals of ATP 250
The main cause of Nole's failure after only two sets is the low break-point utilization rate. The number one player in the world only took advantage of one of 16 chances to win the catch game against Lajovic. In the second set tie-break, Djokovic also led 6-3 but lost five points in a row and lost 6-8.
Lajovic was not an easy opponent to play on clay when he reached the final of the Monte Carlo Masters 2019. The topspin balls coming from the forehand and backhand of the Serbian player caused many difficulties for Nole. He soon led 3-1, then won the opponent's hinge game when the score was 4-4. Lajovic saved three set-points when leading 5-4, to close the first set.
In four out of five games of serve in the first set, Lajovic faced the risk of losing the game. But Djokovic only took advantage of one of 11 break-points and lost the first set 4-6. In the second set, Nole failed to win the catch game, despite having five chances. This set required a tie-break, where Lajovic scored the last five points to win 8-6 back.
Saving six set-points divided equally in each set, Lajovic won the world number one for the first time. "The biggest win of my career," Lajovic said. "Djokovic is my good friend, the hero of my country. I never thought I could win against him."
In the previous two encounters, Lajovic only won four games against Djokovic. This time, he made Nole lose his third game since the beginning of the season. Djokovic also lost to his compatriots for the first time in 11 years, since he lost to Janko Tipsarevic in Madrid in 2012. He congratulated Lajovic on his win, and said his Serbian Davis Cup teammate deserved it. Lajovic will meet another Serbian player in the semi-finals, Miomir Kecmanovic.
The Srpska Open is the new ATP 250 tournament relocating from Belgrade to Banja Luka, Bosnia & Herzegovina. This award is directed by Djokovic's youngest brother, Djordje. Nole will have nearly a week off, before attending the second Masters 1000 clay event of the year in Madrid.
