Tipsarevic stuns Djokovic in Madrid Open

Madrid, May 12 (IANS) Janko Tipsarevic produced another surprise in the Mutua Madrid Open when he defeated fellow countryman, number one seed and tournament favourite Novak Djokovic 7-6(2), 6-3.

The win Friday for the number seven seed means that last year's tournament winner Djokovic follows Rafael Nadal, who was beaten by Fernnado Verdasco Thursday, out of the tournament, along with number four seed Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, another player who crashed out of the competition ahead of schedule.

Djokovic rarely looked comfortable during his match and his exit will merely serve to raise more questions about the blue clay playing surface that both the Serb and Nadal have not only complained about, but said will cause them to miss next year's tournament if it is not changed.

Tipsarevic will face Roger Federer, who is now the tournament favourite after the number three seed defeated last Spanish hope David Ferrer 6-4, 6-4.

The other half of the draw will see number six seed Tomas Berdych play Juan Manuel del Potro.

Del Potro beat number 16 seed Alexandr Dolgopolov in straight sets 6-4, 6-3 in which his more effective first serve was a decisive factor against a rival who got 31 percent of his first serves in.

Berdych, meanwhile, brought Fernando Verdasco back down to earth following his stunning win over Nadal.

Verdasco looked tired after Thursday's long game in the sun and never got near the form he had shown in toppling his compatriot as Berdych dispatched him 6-1, 6-2 in just one hour and six minutes.

In the women's tournament, number one seed Victoria Azarenka will play number four seed Agnieszka Radwanska, who defeated American qualifier Varvara Lepchenko 6-4, 6-4 after a match in which Radwanska's lack of errors was vital in a match filled with long rallies

Brief Scores (Men):

10-Juan Martin del Potro, Argentina, bt 16-Alexandr Dolgopolov, Ukraine, 6-3, 6-4.

6-Tomas Berdych, Czech Republic, bt 15-Fernando Verdasco, Spain, 6-1, 6-2.

7-Janko Tipsarevic, Serbia, bt 1-Novak Djokovic, Serbia, 7-6 (7-2), 6-3.

3-Roger Federer, Switzerland, bt 5-David Ferrer, Spain, 6-4, 6-4.