Reigning champion Djokovic sent packing by qualifier
Novak Djokovic was broken in game five of the deciding set
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Friday, 28, Mar 2008 09:33
Defending champion Novak Djokovic has crashed out of the Sony Ericsson Open after losing to qualifier Kevin Anderson 7-6 3-6 6-4 in Miami.
Third-seed Djokovic, who won the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells last week, could not cope with the power of the towering Anderson in the second round clash.
The Serb struggled from the outset and was given a warning from the chair umpire for a temper tantrum.
Serving at 2-0 ahead in the final set, Djokovic saved a break point to reach deuce before losing 13 points in a row to the 122nd-ranked Anderson.
Djokovic, rattled by further jeers from the crowd, then trailed 3-2.
South African Anderson, who reached this month's Las Vegas Open final as a qualifier, double faulted on his first match point at 40-15 in game ten but sealed victory when Djokovic netted with a forehand.
The world number three, who was given a first round bye, admitted he put in a below-par display.
"In the last point my shoelace was broken but I'm not trying to find excuses. He deserved to win," Djokovic said.
Anderson turned professional last year and is 6-2 this year. Djokovic joins world number one Roger Federer as among the top seeds that have been sent tumbling in Miami.