No.1 Novak Djokovic Is Stunned By Philipp Kohlschreiber At Indian Wells

Since lifting a record seventh title in Melbourne, Novak Djokovic was playing his first tournament, taking his tally of Grand Slam victories to 15.

 

Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany on Tuesday stunned Novak Djokovic, Australian Open champion 6-4, 6-4. He claims that this is his first career win over a world No. 1 player to reach the fourth round of the ATP Indian Wells Masters. since lifting a record seventh title in Melbourne, Serbian superstar Djokovic was playing his first tournament, taking his tally of Grand Slam victories to 15. Eight of nine prior meetings is won by him with Kohlschreiber but could find no answer to the 39th-ranked veteran, who had come up empty in 11 prior attempts to beat a top-ranked rival.

 

Kohlschreiber said that it is a very special moment and of course, playing the top guys is always a big pleasure, but most of the time they beat you. He added that Today, with Novak being number one, top-seeded here, it's a very incredible win for him.

 

Kohlschreiber said the warmer daytime conditions suited him better in the match which resumed after the rain stopped play just one game in on Monday night. He came out with a crisp and confident style, breaking Djokovic in the seventh game and closing out the opening set with a service winner.

 

Djokovic reflected his frustration by banging his racquet against his foot until it crumpled, but it did nothing for improving his fortunes as Kohlschreiber opened the second set with a break.

 

Two wayward forehands and a double fault from Djokovic helped Kohlschreiber to another break for a 5-2 lead. After then, it was the turn of Kohlschreiber turn for showing some nerves as a string of four errors, including a double fault gave Djokovic a break back.

 

No mistake has been made by him on his second chance, however, firing a sideline-skimming forehand to seal the milestone win on his first match point.

 

Kohlschreiber arrived at Indian Wells on a three-match losing streak. He will face France's Gael Monfils for a place in the quarter-finals. After the abrupt end to his bid for winning a record sixth Indian Wells title, Djokovic will try to regroup and match Rafael Nadal's record of 33 Masters 1000 titles. World number two Nadal stayed on track for improving that number as he swept past Argentine Diego Schwartzman 6-3, 6-1 to reach the last 16. Nadal in emphatic style took his record against the world No. 26 to 7-0. He never faced a break point in a match lasting an hour and 16 minutes.

 

By: Preeti Narula

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