Novak Djokovic Suffers Heaviest Loss To Fortunate Loser Lorenzo Sonego In Vienna

Novak Djokovic suffered his heaviest defeat in a three-set match on Friday when he was knocked out of the Vienna ATP match by fortunate loser Lorenzo Sonego, stalling his bid to wrap up the year-end world primary rating for a sixth time. Italian Sonego, ranked 42 and who had initially misplaced in qualifying final weekend, is the primary fortunate loser ever to beat Djokovic. His 6-2, 6-1 quarter-final stunner was 33-year-old Djokovic’s heaviest ever defeat. The one different time he had gained simply three video games was on the 2005 Australian Open by the hands of Marat Safin in a best-of-five-set encounter.

Friday’s defeat means Djokovic should wait a bit of longer earlier than he completes the formality of equalling Pete Sampras’s all-time document of ending the season high of the rankings for a sixth time.

“For positive it is the perfect victory of my life. Novak is the perfect on this planet. Immediately I performed so, so good,” Sonego mentioned.

“It is unbelievable. It is superb. I performed the perfect match in my life. I am so completely satisfied for this.”

Sonego fired 26 winners previous the Serb who misplaced for under the third time in 2020.

Djokovic, a 17-time main champion, managed simply seven winners towards 25 unforced errors.

Second seed and defending champion Dominic Thiem additionally misplaced on Friday, taking place 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 to Russian world quantity eight Andrey Rublev.

Rublev hit 30 winners previous the US Open champion and goes on to face South Africa’s Kevin Anderson for a spot within the closing.

“I got here right here with the temper that I’ve nothing to lose,” mentioned Rublev who’s chasing a fifth title of the yr.

“I had already a very nice season. I got here right here with zero expectations, simply desirous to do my finest. To attempt to struggle each match. On the finish, I’m right here within the semi-finals.”

Promoted

Anderson made the semi-finals by accounting for Russian fourth seed Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 7-6 (7/5).

It was Anderson’s first high 10 win in two years.