MADRID, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Australian Open champion
Novak Djokovic advanced to the third round of the Madrid Masters on Wednesday
after Victor Hanescu of Romania retired due to an apparent groin injury while
trailing 6-7 (8), 7-6 (8), 3-1.
Hanescu won the first-set tiebreaker on his third set point when Djokovic hit a forehand long.
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Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns the ball to Victor Hanescu of Romania during their match at the Madrid Masters Series tennis tournament in Madrid Oct. 15, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>> |
Hanescu saved a set point in the second set by
hitting a powerful forehand to catch the third-ranked Djokovic going the wrong
way in the 12th game.
The 1.98-meter Hanescu trailed 4-1 in the ensuing
tiebreaker before leveling at 5-5. But Djokovic finally evened the match on his
second set point with a backhand shot.
American qualifier Robby Ginepri scored the day's
first upset by beating fifth-ranked Nikolay Davydenko 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Top-ranked Rafael Nadal pulled out of doubles play
with Carlos Moya on Tuesday due to a slight upper leg injury.
David Nalbandian won his sixth straight match by
defeating Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-1.
Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga advanced
after rallying to beat Spanish qualifier Marcel Granollers 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(5).
Tsonga will next face either second-ranked Roger
Federer or Radek Stepanek, who play later Wednesday.