Former ATP #2 Tommy Haas scored another one of his unexpected KO wins, last year he defeated Roger Federer in the final of Halle on Father’s Day, last night he eliminated world #1 Novak Djokovic 62 64 from the Sony Open.
Haas has shown devastating, extraordinary tennis throughout his career, but he’s never been able to go all the way and win a major title.
If there are pent up frustration inside Haas for that inability, he surely exacted them on Djokovic last night, stunning the Serbian with his baseline consistency and surprising on many occasions.
Yes it was a cold night, but equally cold for both players. Haas was leading a set and a break – 3-1 in the second – but Djokovic got the break back and I figured that would be the turning point and I left the stadium for home after a long day.
But Haas saved his best tennis for when he needed it most, and finished the job.
Djokovic, who was already doing his post match press conference before Haas even came off the court, passed all credit to the victor. “All the credit to him. He played a great match and he was the better player, no question about it. The results show everything. As far as I’m concerned, it’s definitely the worst match I have played in a long time.”
Haas surely played a part in forcing Djokovic to play subpar tennis.
“I just didn’t feel good on the court,” said Djokovic. “Conditions were really much much different than what I have played in previous matches. Balls didn’t bounce at all. He has quite flat shots. He used the variety really well. It was very cold and I just didn’t find a better solution to come back in the match. Even though I was a break down I managed to come back and then when I needed to step in I didn’t. I made so many unforced errors from the forehand side and it’s just the way it is.”
“I congratulate him. Definitely made great tactics. He used the serve well and he moved around the court really well. He was better.”
Djokovic said he never gave up and tried to fight to the last ball. “I definitely hoped and believed that I can come back. I was fighting. I was trying all the way up to the last ball. There are days when you just don’t feel good on the court. Nothing really goes your way. This is one of those days. But all credit to him for making me play this bad.”
Djokovic added that it was one of the coldest conditions he’s ever played an ATP match in.
16 comments
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Steve · March 27, 2013 at 2:14 pm
A plague of locusts swarm the middle east, 16,000 dead pigs and 1,000 dead ducks float down rivers in Shanghai and EU bureaucrats forcibly steal bank deposits in Cyprus. It’s been one of those weeks and it’s only Wednesday! You actually don’t need a heart condition to have anxiety when the apocalypse is seemingly at your door. So nice to have a fun escape, the type that can only happen in the arena of sports and Haas/Djoker delivered.
Djokovic was rattled in the Fognini match a few weeks ago and shaken up last night. I believe he’s now 2-4 in recent matches. Could it be the pressure of being #1 is getting to the Serb now knowing that Nadal is back in full force? He was, as usual, very gracious in defeat. Classy.
Dan Markowitz · March 27, 2013 at 2:32 pm
Steve, are you being facetious? Djokovic was classy in defeat? First, he says Haas beat him with his play, then he says he played poorly, the balls didn’t bounce, it was too cold. He basically used every excuse in the books as to why he lost.
Look, I don’t think Djoko played particularly well, but Haas played great. If Haas blinks, as he did in the 2nd set, losing his serve at love, he was roadkill. But somehow he was able to blink and then return to excellent play.
Scoop Malinowski · March 27, 2013 at 2:41 pm
Haas has been astonishing. I remember two years ago he was struggling mightily with Michael Berrer in Newport, first round, he got a WC, seemed at the end of his rope. Lost first set, somehow won the match, lots of venting and shouting at himself, then he goes and retires in the first set in next match to Michael Yani. Haas seemed on his last legs. Now he’s winning matches impressively at a Masters Series and knocking off the world #1 in straight sets. Absolutely phenomenal dedication and accomplishments by Haas in this comeback. He played incredible tennis last night over a determined Djokovic who admittedly could not find the solution to solve Haas.
Andrew Miller · March 27, 2013 at 2:46 pm
Tommy Haas, the top U.S. player in 2013. Haas works hard, trains hard. Young U.S. players, take note from your fellow countryman.
Steve · March 27, 2013 at 2:52 pm
I wish he would play Davis Cup for the US now that he’s a citizen.
Scoop Malinowski · March 27, 2013 at 3:00 pm
Great idea to ask Haas if he would play US Davis Cup. Wonder what he would say.
Scoop Malinowski · March 27, 2013 at 3:10 pm
Greg Sharko of ATP just told me Haas plays under the German flag though he became US citizen a couple of years ago.
loreley · March 27, 2013 at 3:24 pm
Haas changed back to Germany. He played Davis Cup last year.
I watched a replay of his match against Djoker. Dan is right, he showed how to beat him. It looked kinda easy 😉
Scoop Malinowski · March 27, 2013 at 4:09 pm
Tommy quotes:
“I had the mentality going out there believing in it. You’ve got to. Just from last week, playing somebody like Del Potro who gives me quite a bit of trouble, I sort of had a gameplan. I went out and nothing seemed to really work and I didn’t really have a plan B. I was just frustrated with the way I played and tried to totally focus and tried to approach this match totally different. The last couple of times I played Novak was in Shanghai last year and Toronto and Toronot we had a really good battle which I was really happy about the way I played, he just played better at the end. Tonight I had a good gameplan, I thought. Conditions maybe, now looking back, maybe favored me a little bit with the game that I played against him tonight. I’m just really happy and proud of that tonight against such a great player who has been dominating the sport the last couple of years. I really took advantage of the opportunities I’ve gotten. I think I played extremely well. He gave me a lot of looks and I took advantage of it.”
“I’m pretty pathetic when it comes to color matching. Sometimes I look at myself in the mirror before I go out and I’m like: Jesus, what was I thinking there? I guess if I maybe had a clothing contract it would be different. But in this case I just put on the clothes that I really like. It’s comfortable and it sort of feels good on me. I’m not the color matching type and my wife has to take care of our daughter most of the time so she doesn’t have time to do that either. It falls into my hands.”
Martin G · March 27, 2013 at 11:45 pm
From Scoop – “I like Djokovic to win IW and Miami back to back, adding to his already gigantic lead over Roger in the so-called race for #1”
Hm, Scoop you’ve jinxed Novak.
I agree with Dan, Novak looked gracious in defeat but then proceed with excuses. It was funny.
Steve · March 28, 2013 at 7:59 am
He should do the Levine switcharoo. Courier should take him to dinner. 🙂
Scoop Malinowski · March 28, 2013 at 2:57 pm
Martin G, did you have to? : ) Yeah, I do tend to overestimate Djokovic sometimes. It’s got to be hard for him as the #1 target for everyone to keep himself 100% fully motivated against everyone, and of course everyone gets up for him like it’s the match of the their lives, to play the world #1 is the ultimate confirmation and measuring stick. Hrbaty told me it’s a big deal for a player to play the world #1, it’s a chance to prove to yourself and the world how good of a player you are. Djokovic has to deal with this every single match. These losses are understandable, just like Fed losing to Canas was. Guys like Canas and Haas and others are going to get super amped up to play the world #1.
Martin G · March 28, 2013 at 5:31 pm
I remember Canas’s run.
He had beaten Fed in Wells and again in Miami in the same year I think. That was amazing feat.
To get to number one is unbelievable hard.
To stay there is even harder because everybody is after your skin and playing without regret.
If they win it’s amazing, if they loose it’s expected.
I couldn’t resist to tease you Scoop :).
adb · March 29, 2013 at 2:44 am
And not too long after his wins over Fed, he got busted for PEDs.
Steve · March 29, 2013 at 1:12 pm
I think we can confirm that Djoker doesn’t like windy conditions and he can get lost in matches. He just doesn’t seem as solid this season.
Right now Nadal is the real #1 in player’s eyes. He’s playing the best tennis.
Henk · March 30, 2013 at 4:19 am
to adb:
I think you should get both your chronology and your facts straight!
Canas didn’t “get busted for PED’s”.
Facts: He was (incorrectly) accused of taking a simple diuretic to allegedly mask forbidden substances. He was unfairly banned for 2 years after having reached no. 8. However, not one forbidden substance was found in that same sample and he was fully cleared by the highest sports court, the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport)
Chronology: He beat Roger fair and square twice in a row when he returned to tennis AFTER his incorrect ban from tennis.
So, if you were looking for an excuse for Roger to loose, maybe you should look elsewhere!