Tommy Haas Defeats Novak Djokovic In Miami

Written by: Staff on 27th March 2013

Sony Open tennis tournament on Key Biscayne, Florida

Tommy Haas Defeats Novak Djokovic In Miami

epa03642125 Tommy Haas of Germany returns the ball against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their match at the Sony Open tennis tournament in Miami, Florida, USA, 26 March 2013. Haas won in straight sets 6-2, 6-4. EPA/RHONA WISE |

Tommy Haas turns 35 years of age next week, he doesn’t even merit a clothing deal and plays in a miss-matched collection of clothing with different manufacturers logos. And he has successfully come through five different bouts of surgery but the American-based German who first contested Miami’s Sony Open in its previous guise as the Lipton back in 1997 comprehensively ousted world no.1 Novak Djokovic.

Haas, the oldest player in the world’s top 50 and making his 13th appearance at Key Biscayne’s Crandon Park didn’t mix his words after the 6-2, 6-4 win over Djokovic.

“This is crazy,” Haas said. “Playing against someone like Novak and coming out on top at this time of my career, it’s unbelievable.”

But Haas admitted he played a wonderful tactical match. “I really took advantage of the opportunities I’ve got,” he said. “I think I played extremely well. He gave me a lot of looks and I took advantage of them.”

Haas’ victory was his first against a world no.1 ranked player since 1999 when he beat

Andre Agassi in the now defunct Grand Slam Cup in Munich.

Djokovic, who lost to Juan Martin Del Potro in the semi-finals at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells was more damning of his performance.

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s definitely the worst match I have played in a long time,” said the world no.1 who this year reclaimed the Australian Open title and went on to take the Dubai Duty Free Championships.

“It was quite cold and there was basically no air in the balls and a low bounce, which is more suitable to his style of the game. I needed to make much less unforced errors in order to win against a quality player like Tommy and I congratulate him.

“Definitely he made great tactics, used the serve well, moved around the court really well and was better. I always feel really nice here in Miami. The crowd is fantastic and always giving me plenty of support.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t give them that third set. I wanted it badly. I was trying to find rhythm and that’s the way it is.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Miami tennis news, Novak Djokovic, Sony Tennis Open, Sports, Tennis News, Tommy Haas