Defending champion and no.2 seed Novak Djokovic suffered a 5-7, 2-6 defeat to Roger Federer in Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters semi-finals on Saturday.
Novak took the court with his right wrist and forearm heavily strapped. He had two set points at 5-4, but Federer held. The Swiss broke in the following game and pocketed the set with an ace.
Djokovic struggled in the second set. The pain in his right wrist was just too much to bear for the world no.2. Roger took full advantage and broke twice to win it 6-2, moving 18-16 up in their head-to-head meetings.
“From the end of the first and the whole second set, every shot was pain, especially with the serve,” Novak said. “I couldn’t do much more than this. Gave my best really. I’m not trying to take away anything from Roger’s win. He deserves to be in the final, no question about it. I’m just very disappointed I wasn’t able to give better effort.”
Match statistics: aces (2-3), double faults (0-1), winners (14-19), unforced errors (19-21).
An all-Swiss final on Sunday will see Roger Federer take on reigning Australian Open titlist Stanislas Wawrinka for the Monte-Carlo trophy.
Novak will now take a break from tennis to treat his sore right wrist.
“I cannot play tennis for some time. How long, I don’t know. I’m going to rest and see when it can heal 100%, then I will be back on the court.“
Photo: Getty Images
