First defeat of the year for Novak Djokovic.
Opposed to the ghost Jiri Vesely (123rd player in the world), the Serb lost in two identical sets in the quarter-finals of the ATP 500 in Dubai (6-4, 6-4).
A huge surprise in view of the course of the Czech, from the qualifications at Dubai Duty Free, where he continues the leading performances after having dismissed in turn Marin Cilic (24th in the world) and Roberto Bautista Agut (15th).
In the semi-finals, the former 35th in the world (his best career ranking), who collapsed after a match point won with authority, will face the winner of the duel between Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis and Canadian Dennis Shapovalov.
This is his second victory in two matches against "Djoker", whom he had already beaten at Wimbledon in 2016.
Medvedev will be the new world number 1 on Monday
On the side of Djokovic, it is a delicate return to competition after the imbroglio of the Australian Open, where he could not occur because he was not vaccinated.
This defeat means above all that the Serb will lose his place as world number 1 in favor of Daniil Medvedev, who will sit for the first time at the top of the world hierarchy.
It now remains to be seen where the future ex-world number 1 will now be able to perform, while the health situation implies restrictions in many tournaments.
In the course of an interview granted to
L'Equipe,
the Serb let it be known that he did not intend to be vaccinated in the future, without however closing the door: "
At the moment, I do not feel the fact that I need it to protect my body and I don't feel like I'm a threat to others.
Whether you are vaccinated or not, you can still transmit the virus.
This is my position and, for the rest, my mind is completely open.
Everything is possible.
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