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Novak Djokovic failed to chase the title at his ATP 250 event in Banja Luka. Novak lost to his compatriot Dusan Lajovic 6-4, 7-6 after two hours and 29 minutes of a titanic battle. Djokovic congratulated his Davis Cup teammate on his performance and admitted he earned the victory.
Lajovic had the upper hand on the slow court, defending 15 out of 16 break points and overpowering Novak in the decisive moments for a career-best win. Djokovic could not find his rhythm, still struggling with his right elbow and competing below his usual level, like in Monte Carlo last week.
Lajovic saw an opportunity and played brave and attacking tennis to become the third-lowest ranked player with a win over Novak as world no. 1. Djokovic led 6-3 in the second set's tie break before dropping five straight points and propelling his good friend over the top.
Dusan made a better start and grabbed a break at 1-1 in the opener after Novak's double fault. Lajovic saved break points in the next one and wrapped it up with a volley winner that pushed him 3-1 in front. Djokovic squandered four break points in game six, and Lajovic closed it with a forehand winner for 4-2.
Novak Djokovic fell to Dusan Lajovic in the Banja Luka quarter-final.
Novak finally broke in the eighth game after Dusan's wayward forehand to lock the result at 4-4. Still, he played another loose service game in the next one and sprayed a forehand error to experience a break and fall 5-4 behind.
Lajovic worked hard in the tenth game while serving for the set. He saved three break points and claimed the opener 6-4 in an hour after Djokovic's forehand error. World no. 1 missed ten out of 11 break points in the first part of the match and plagued his chances for a better result.
Set number two had no breaks after both players saved five break points. Lajovic cracked a backhand winner in the ninth game and created three break chances that would have sent him closer to the finish line. Djokovic stayed calm, denied them and held with a service winner.
Novak held after deuces at 5-5, and Dusan introduced a tie break with a fine service game. World no. 1 led 4-1 and forged a 6-3 advantage with a volley winner at the net for three set points. Lajovic climbed back to 6-6 after Djokovic's loose forehand and created a match point thanks to Novak's smash error.
Dusan won the fifth consecutive point with a forehand down the line winner to celebrate a career-best victory. "Dusan is a fantastic person and a great guy. I have known him for a very long time, ever since he started professional tennis.
We have been Davis Cup teammates many times, training together. This is a significant win for Dusan, and I'm happy for him, especially after having challenging times in the previous year. He is playing well and deserved the victory today," Novak Djokovic said.