Djokovic forced to retire

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:16

When Djokovic called a halt to proceedings he was two sets to one down and trailing 2-1 in the fourth.

With the match all square at one set all and Djokovic leading 2-1 in the third, the Serbian had called for a medical time out complaining of a lack of energy in the intense Melbourne heat.

Djokovic’s previous match against Marcos Baghdatis did not finish until almost 2.30am on Monday morning, having started late because of Jelena Dokic’s three-set marathon against Alisa Kleybanova.

That late finish, coupled with temperatures in Rod Laver Arena hitting 33 degrees during Tuesday afternoon’s match appeared to take its toll on the number three seed, and although he returned from the extended break he lost the following five matches and the third set 6-2.

He came out for the fourth set and was forced to dig deep to hold his serve in the opening game but after being broken easily in the third he informed the umpire he could no longer continue.

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