ATP Olympics: Novak Djokovic withdraws from mixed doubles and fails to win a medal

Novak Djokovic came to Tokyo with high expectations, chasing the singles gold medal after winning all three Major titles so far this year. Using a favorable draw, Novak toppled four rivals without breaking a sweat, claiming all eight sets without losing serve to sail into the semis. To make things even better, the 20-time Major winner and Nina Stojanovic grabbed two mixed doubles victories to find themselves in the semis. On Friday, Novak chased two wins that would have sent him into the title clashes, but it all got wrong for him, as he lost to Alexander Zverev in the singles and against Vesnina and Karatsev in the mixed doubles. It was one of the toughest days for Novak in recent years, especially after wasting a 6-1, 3-2 advantage against Zverev in the singles, only to drop ten of the final 11 games and experience a 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 defeat. It was a massive blow for the Serb, and we all knew it would be hard for him to find energy ahead of Saturday's double action.

Novak Djokovic and Nina Stojanovic will not play for the mixed doubles bronze medal.

Seeking the second singles medal at the Olympic Games and the first in 13 years, Novak suffered a 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 loss to Pablo Carreno Busta after almost three hours, staying empty-handed and withdrawing from the mixed doubles bronze medal match. Thus, Ashleigh Barty and John Peers have secured the bronze medal without even stepping on the court. Mighty disappointed, Novak will leave Tokyo without a medal, just like in London and Rio. He should now throw everything on winning the US Open and completing a calendar Grand Slam, already having an incredible season despite the Tokyo setback.

As was expected, Djokovic didn't have enough energy to challenge Carreno Busta, doing his best to stay in touch but failing after getting broken twice. Pablo stopped Novak at the last year's US Open following the Serb's default, and he played on a high level again today to fend off six break chances and keep the pressure on the other side. Novak saved a match point in the second set's tie break and created a break chance at the beginning of the third that could have sent him in front. Instead, Pablo saved it and broke the world's best player in the next one for a crucial move. The Spaniard converted the sixth match point overall in the ninth game to start a massive celebration and bring Spain the only tennis medal in Tokyo.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3idgAf6