World no. 1 Novak Djokovic was bundled out of the ATP Madrid Open on Friday by compatriot Janko Tipsarevic while Roger Federer continued his run on the blue clay and is now within two wins of reclaiming the world no. 2 ranking.
Seventh seed Tipsarevic blasted 30 winners past Djokovic en route to a 7-6(2), 6-3 win. “I’ve never won a Masters Series event. It would be something new,” commented Tipsarevic. “Beating the world number one should give me enough confidence to think that I can, especially a defending champion from last year.”
Federer scored his 13th consecutive win over Spaniard David Ferrer 6-4, 6-4 and will play Tipsarevic next. “I’m always pleased beating a local hero in their own country, it’s never an easy thing to do,” commented Federer. “I’m extremely pleased to be in the semi-finals because it’s really been a tough draw for me.”
Djokovic continued his rant against the blue courts used this week in his post match interview. “I want to forget this week as soon as possible and move on to the real clay courts. Here you can’t predict the ball bounce or movement.They can do whatever they want, but I won’t be here next year if this clay stays.”
Sixth-seeded Tomas Berdych will take on No. 10 seed Juan Martin del Potro in the other semi final.
Berdych beat No. 15 seed Fernando Verdasco 6-1, 6-2 victory. “I feel great,” commented Berdych. “I’m in another semi-final, [the] second in a row. To beat Fernando made me feel great. It is always tough to beat Fernando, even though the score looks quite easy. It’s not easy to beat a Top 20 player and he played great yesterday [against Rafael Nadal].”
del Potro dismissed No. 16 seed Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-3, 6-4 to improve to 10-0 on clay this year.
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