Wimbledon - Haas downs Djokovic to reach semis

Eurosport - Thu, 02 Jul 09:22:00 2009

Germany's Tommy Haas reached his first Wimbledon semi-final at the age of 31, outclassing a tentative Novak Djokovic 7-5 7-6(6) 4-6 6-3.

Tommy Haas of Germany reacts after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in their quarter-final match at Wimbledon REUTERS - 0

The Serbian fourth seed, looking nervous from the start and rarely taking the initiative, managed to salvage one set but looked a pale shadow of the scintillating player who won last year's Australian Open.

The pressure of expectation now seems to weigh heavy on the 22-year-old's shoulders. His self-belief at a low ebb, Djokovic showed little aggression against a confident Haas.

"It's unbelievable. I have no words for it. I am playing some of my best tennis right now," said an overjoyed Haas after recording the biggest shock of the men's tournament so far.

The German always looked in control in the first set. He held his serve to love three times and broke Djokovic in the 11th game to ratchet up the pressure at just the right time.

In an engrossing second set tiebreak, Djokovic had three set points to draw level but Haas fought back from 6-3 down to take a comfortable lead.

"That was huge and maybe the key to success today. I said to myself - Wake Up," said Haas, a former world number two whose career has been blighted by injury.

Djokovic landed the third set with one decisive break of serve but was never able to dominate.

Haas, who beat Djokovic in the Halle final last month, raced into a 5-2 lead in the fourth set with supporters chanting "Let's Go Tommy".

The adoration was rewarded. Haas maintained his nerve when serving for the match and reached the Wimbledon semi-final at his 11th attempt.

Haas will play world number two Roger Federer for a place in Sunday's final, after he beat Ivo Karlovic 6-3 7-5 7-6(2).

"When I needed to step it up in the important games, I was too nervous in these moments. He took his chances and played better," Djokovic said. "I think he's a perfect player for this surface.

"I think he has, even in the next match (against Federer), he has good chances if he serves well. He just needs to keep his consistency."

Haas's progress to his semi-final clash with five-times champion Federer could not have been more laborious.

He needed two days to win both his first and third round matches. Both were suspended because of bad light and he saved two match points against Marin Cilic.

But he did have one stroke of luck - his second round opponent, Frenchman Michael Llodra, retired injured after colliding with the umpire's chair and one of the ballgirls.

But he now has a mountain to climb. Federer leads 9-2 in their previous clashes but Haas did take him to five sets at the French Open.

"I am going to give it my best shot. There is not much this guy cannot do," Haas said. "I am going to try and go out there and see if I can annoy him a little bit and go from there."

Reuters

Comment 30 - 49 of 49

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  1. and I exect you to became less negative one day Clispy­ Duck ;-)

    From Igor K, on Thu 2 Jul 2:35PM

  2. Nice to read ANOTHER written @#$% from Igor K about his­ fantasy boy Djokovic!
    As for draw, Novak played NOBODY­ until Haas and look what happened. At least he fought­ hard, didn't call the trainer or quit and was­ graceful in defeat.
    The 20 ball bounces are still­ pushing it in terms of time violation though.
    Looking­ forward to Igor verbally bumming Novak in the next­ tournament now. Don't forget to add some pictures­ to your bedroom shrine Igor!

    From crispyduck, on Thu 2 Jul 2:05PM

  3. ... and can not get from filling Novak would have­ better chances then Hass playing Federer, even Fed­ playing fantastic on grass, Wimbledon 5 time winner,­ and so on.. but it would be much nicer to watch..­ surely he would give Fed hard time.. won him 4 times in­ last two years, he just knows what is needed to disrupt­ his game.. maybe he would fail to do so, being so­ unstable recently.. but Novak is usually playing his­ best against the best.. pity !
    Federer honestly had­ toughest draw..

    From Igor K, on Thu 2 Jul 9:03AM

  4. ..these are ups and downs, Novak is 22 now and his best­ is still to come.. let time will show what will be ..­ this guy is capable of tremendous things ! he showed­ it many times.. many times failed unexpected,­ especially this year, yes I agree ! So he should change­ something in his team.. new fresh blood, better­ motivation.. but if he himself say he will not change­ anything.. maybe he knows best.. will see again !
    No­ meter everything, I think his game is more mature then­ before and tactically on finest level: clay season was­ phenomenal, his matches with Nadal were outstanding,­ but unused match balls against him proved as too much­ for Novak ! he just burned !
    After good rest, I’m sure­ upcoming hard court season will prove he is player for­ very top !
    Heads up Novak !

    From Igor K, on Thu 2 Jul 8:55AM

  5. many of you people expect too much of him. many of you­ people are just blind to professional sport. all of you­ people can only hope to achieve what he has. you­ talking like a quarter final at Wimbledon is a­ failiure. but i guess you can be excused. after all, i­ doubt any of you are over the age of 12. it is simply­ not possible to, by fluke, be in the top 4 for 3 years.­ Haas has been brilliant recently, so good luck to him.­ these forums are a disgrace.

    From aleksicn93, on Thu 2 Jul 8:29AM

  6. I absolutely agree with you, Morituri. Djokovic can­ definitely find his form and climb back in the near­ future!!!!!! He is still a great player!!!!! And­ don't forget that grass is his least favourite­ surface, he will do much better in the coming hard and­ clay tournaments.

    From gabriellasakura, on Thu 2 Jul 6:57AM

  7. Igor K, i told you bro. I knew Djoko wouldn't beat­ Haas! I was sure about it. To be fair, i wanted Djoko­ to win, so the semis would be easier for Fed. Now,­ it's gonna be tough! Haas is much better than­ Djoko, at the moment.

    From gione.silva, on Thu 2 Jul 2:22AM

  8. Novak has to regain aggressive play style as he played­ against Nadal last year in Cincinnati, when Novak won­ the match.He was brilliant then.

    From Mike X, on Wed 1 Jul 11:16PM

  9. I thought Haas would win this one,injury free,he is a­ fine grass court player who knows the­ surface.Djoko,unfortunately,is not looking like the­ player he was,not looking like a slam winner at all,far­ from it.Its a probably fortunate he didnt get to play­ Federer in the semis,an embarrassingly one sided match­ would have been the result.Djoko now seems light years­ behind Murray also,their fortunes seem to be taking­ very different paths.Federer v Haas will be very­ pleasing on the eye,two all court players going at­ it.Federer in 3.

    From carlos480bc, on Wed 1 Jul 11:12PM

  10. how can it be

    From PHILIP, on Wed 1 Jul 11:02PM

  11. Well played Tommy, go for it ! Nolle will still have­ time to try again - but he has to improve his­ performance under hot conditions.

    From ispurs, on Wed 1 Jul 10:44PM
  12. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    The only reason why Djokovic reached the quaters is­ because all his opponents were unknown. As soon as he­ gets a half decent opponent he gets trashed!!!.­ He's goners!!!

    From faizul, on Wed 1 Jul 10:41PM

  13. Klasse Tommy, well done... a very nice match form tommy­ haas while djokovic does not his best... but tommy´s­ service was so good like in the match against­ andreev... so really congratulation to tommy, i love­ his game and tennis playing style... lets be focussed­ and serve well. and than you can beat Roger.. maybe^^

    From Jasar, on Wed 1 Jul 9:23PM

  14. Just recalling that when I first Djokovic play on the­ pro circuit, he reminded me of Haas in his younger,­ injury-free winning days. A special treat to see their­ encounter on the Wimbledon grass today. Some of­ Haas's greatness from earlier days seems to be­ returning in his twilight tennis years. Djokovic is­ becoming a seasoned player and may eventually take­ Roddick's spot as a reliable top player in the ATP­ rank once The Rod retires. I wish Nole would forget the­ nonsense of being # 1, #2, or #3 and just continue to­ build his game and assured confidence so that we can­ know he'll be here with us, striving and thriving­ and playing great tennis. Let the meteoric "billy­ boys" rise and fall on the nebulous top perches­ while we watch Djokovic give us, as Roddick has all­ these years, exciting, creative tennis...not blood­ sport.

    From Hatsutking, on Wed 1 Jul 8:47PM

  15. well done tommy. won me a bit of cash as well; knew­ he'd get to the semis.

    From James Gallagher, on Wed 1 Jul 8:38PM

  16. keep it up.

    From eniola.holly, on Wed 1 Jul 8:22PM

  17. keep it up.

    From eniola.holly, on Wed 1 Jul 8:22PM

  18. I have been longing for that surprise that has been­ told time and time again....yeah a GS winner...one­ time....anything else? naaadah!

    From Ray V, on Wed 1 Jul 8:13PM

  19. maria u are noob, how can u say novak is a loser, why­ dont u go there and win a grand slam tounamet ??

    From miro123tomic, on Wed 1 Jul 8:07PM

  20. good play tommyand keep it up,as one of your fan wish­ you gluck.

    From mathabola, on Wed 1 Jul 8:02PM
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