Novak Djokovic, the reigning World No. 1, suffered a surprising defeat in the semifinals of the Geneva Open, losing to Tomas Machac in a dramatic encounter. Despite initially trailing 1-4, Machac rallied to claim the opening set as Djokovic, visibly struggling, requested a medical timeout at its conclusion. Djokovic showed resilience in the second set, bouncing back to force a decider, but ultimately faltered, allowing Machac to secure his first ATP Tour final berth with his second victory over a Top 10 opponent.
Reflecting on his remarkable win, Machac expressed his elation, stating, "I have no reaction right now, I just fought for every ball." The Czech player acknowledged the challenge of facing Djokovic and emphasized the importance of giving his best effort. With anticipation, Machac looks forward to competing in his maiden ATP Tour final, cherishing the opportunity to showcase his skills on such a prestigious stage.
Meanwhile, Djokovic, who recently turned 37, continues to search for his first final appearance of the season. The 24-time Grand Slam champion's decision to enter the Geneva Open came after a disappointing early exit in Rome, compounded by a bizarre incident where he was struck on the head by a fan's water bottle.
As he prepares to defend his French Open title, Djokovic faces Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the opening round on Sunday, aiming to regain his form on the clay courts. In the Geneva Open final, Machac will compete against either two-time champion Casper Ruud or Italian Flavio Cobolli for the coveted title on Saturday.
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