Novak Djokovic admitted he only had himself to blame after the world No 1 fell victim to a stunning comeback from Tomas Berdych to exit the Internazionali d’Italia at the quarter-final stage.
The Czech world No 6 rallied from 2-6 2-5 down to pull off a battling 2-6 7-5 6-4 win over the top seed in two hours and 22 minutes.
It was Berdych’s first win over Djokovic since the 2010 Wimbledon semi-final, and only his second in 15 attempts.
“I lost concentration and started to play more defensively,” the Serbian said
Rafael Nadal continued his winning run as he eyed a third straight title after victories in Barcelona and Madrid, but the clay court master was again taken the distance before seeing off fellow Spaniard David Ferrer 6-4 4-6 6-2.
In the women’s section, Maria Sharapova withdrew from the Rome event due to illness, sparking fears over the defence of her French Open title.
James Anderson joined Test cricket’s elite 300 club, on a tough day otherwise for England against New Zealand at Lord’s.
Kiwi opener Peter Fulton was Anderson’s 300th wicket, making him only the fourth Englishman to reach the landmark alongside Fred Trueman, Bob Willis and Ian Botham.
When Anderson’s great friend Graeme Swann held on to the catch low at second slip to complete Fulton’s dismissal, New Zealand were seven for two on day two of the first Investec Test.
But after hugs all round from team-mates, and raising the ball to the crowd, the celebrations proved fleeting as Ross Taylor took over with a fluent 66 out of 153 for four in reply to England’s ponderous 232 all out.
The rationale last night, after England had closed on 160 for four, was that on this untypically slow pitch and outfield their patience would eventually pay off with a dominant total.
Ireland claimed the notable scalp of Olympic men’s champions Germany in a test match at Heilbronn.
The first game in a three-match series went the way of the underdogs by the odd goal in five.
The Irish were in control from the fourth minute when Alan Sothern propelled them into a lead they never surrendered.
The other goals for the winners came from Chris Cargo and Shane O’Donoghue. The series resumes today in Mannehim.
Meanwhile, on the European club scene, the women of UCD were the only Irish winners. They had the better of Scottish opposition Grove Menzieshill 2-1 at Catania in Sicily, with the winner coming from Jeamie Deacon.
Railway Union went down 2-0 to Real Sociedad in Antwerp, while Cork Harlequins lost out 4-3 to Italian side Bra in Vienna.
