Basel Indoors: Djokovic crashes out

Japan’s Kei Nishikori pulled off a huge upset by bundling out numero-uno Novak Djokovic in 3 sets 2-6, 7-6, 6-0. This is a huge achievement by any yardstick and there were actually few records too that were set.

• Nishikori became the first Japanese player to defeat a World No. 1
• He also became just the sixth player to win a set, 6-0 against Djokovic

Djokovic was looking to advance to his 12th final for this season but he was denied. Nole started out in typically belligerent fashion by winning the first set in 36 minutes, 6-2. In the 2nd set, Nole lost serve early but broke back and he was actually just 2 points away from sealing the tie at 4-5, 0-30 on the Nishikori serve. But the Japanese held on and forced the breaker. There too, Nole was the first to take the mini break at 2-1 but his opponent bounced back to close out the set. The 3rd set was an overwhelming bagel as Nole got a taste of his own medicine. In the 3rd set, Kei won 80 percent of his serves as he was almost invincible in converting all his 3 break chances. The match lasted 2hr 16 minutes and the Japanese 21 yr old currently ranked 31 advanced to the final. He will be bidding for just his 2nd ATP title since his maiden triumph in 2008.

Djokovic was playing in his first tournament since winning the US Open due to some shoulder trouble which affected his serving. He is still not at his peak and as a result he lost just his 4th match for the year in 71 matches totally. He is guaranteed to finish the year as the No.1 but, the potential highly anticipated re-match with Roger Federer won’t happen.

Home grown legend and current World No.4 Roger Federer reached the final here for the 8th time and he will be the unanimous favorite to defend his title yet again, against the unheralded youngster from Japan who would have nothing to lose.