Spain’s Tommy Robredo shocked world no.1 Novak Djokovic 7-6 7-5 on Thursday to move into the quarter-finals of the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati.
For the 16th seeded Robredo the victory was his first over Djokovic since their first meeting in 2005, the Serb sweeping their next six meetings.
The loss brought a temporary halt to Djokovic’s bid to become the first player to win all nine ATP World Tour Masters events during his career.
It was also another setback in the Serb’s build-up to the US Open later this month after falling to Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the third round last week in Toronto.
“Many, many, many things are not clicking these two weeks on hard courts,” said Djokovic.
“It’s unfortunate but it’s more than obvious I’m not playing even close to what I’m supposed to play.
“I have to keep on working and trying to get better for US Open.”
While Djokovic has hoisted the Canada trophy three times he has not felt the same comfort level on the Ohio hard courts, reaching the finals four times in 10 visits to Cincinnati and losing all four.
The Serb appeared out of his normal rhythm, particularly in the second set when he failed to gain even a single break chance.
Robredo managed three break opportunities and only needed to capitalise on one to secure the upset.
“When I finish my tennis career and when I will be sitting at home and talking with friends, I will remember days like this,” Robredo said.
The win marked his second win over a world number one for the 32-year-old Robredo, who also beat Lleyton Hewitt in 2003.
Federer advances
Former world number one Roger Federer avoided tasting an upset of his own as he held off Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-4 4-6 6-3.
A five-time winner at Cincinnati, Federer will now face Andy Murray in the quarter-finals after the Briton had to overcome a stern test against John Isner.
Eighth seed Murray, twice a Cincinnati champion, needed three sets and two-and-a-half hours to tame Isner 6-7 6-4 7-6.
The 11th seeded Isner, a Cincinnati finalist a year ago, blasted 21 aces past his Scottish opponent but could not manage a break the entire match.
In the women’s draw, Maria Sharapova advanced with a victory against Anastasia Pavlyu-chenkova 6-4 7-6.
Quarter-finals: (Men) Raonic bt Fognini 6-1 6-0; Benneteau bt Wawrinka 1-6 6-1 6-2. (Women) S. Williams vs Jankovic 6-1 6-3.