Monte Carlo Flashback: Novak Djokovic falls to David Ferrer

• Tennis News
• Novak Djokovic

A day after beating Gaston Gaudio for his first Monte Carlo victory in 2007, Novak Djokovic faced David Ferrer in the third round. The more experienced Spaniard scored a 7-5, 6-4 win in an hour and 49 minutes on Court des Princes to end the young gun's campaign.

Ferrer took nine points more than Djokovic and played better in the decisive moments, especially from 5-2 down in the opener. Novak grabbed three breaks and got broken five times to finish his run in the third round. The Serb made a slow start and got broken in the encounter's first game.

Djokovic bounced back in game two and broke back to get his name on the scoreboard. Novak moved 2-1 in front and clinched his second straight break from 40-0 down in the next one to forge a 3-1 advantage and settle into a fine rhythm.

Djokovic saved a break point in the fifth game and held for a 4-1 lead and another big step toward the opener.

Novak Djokovic lost to David Ferrer in the 2007 Monte Carlo third round.

Ferrer reduced the deficit with a hold in game six, and Djokovic followed that pace a few minutes later for a comfortable 5-2 advantage.

David brought the eighth game home to prolong the set, and Novak served for it at 5-3. A teenager cracked under pressure and got broken to bring the rival back to the positive side at the last moment. The Spaniard held in game ten and leveled the score at 5-5 ahead of decisive games.

Novak moved 40-15 on serve in game 11 before David climbed back. Ferrer seized the second break chance for a 6-5 lead and a massive boost. The Spaniard defended a break point in the 12th game and wrapped up the set after rattling off five straight games.

Novak made a fresh start in the second set and broke David in game two for a 2-0 advantage. However, he lost serve in game three following an unforced error that brought Ferrer back to the positive side. The young gun defended two break points in the fifth game, doing everything to prolong the clash and his chances.

They stayed neck and neck until 4-4, and Djokovic served for another lead in game nine. Ferrer stepped in on the return and secured a crucial break that pushed him 5-4 in front. Novak missed too many drop shots in the encounter's closing stages, and David sealed the deal on his serve in game ten for a place in the quarter-final.