Novak Djokovic’s woes continue as he is stunned in Barcelona

Shahida Jacobs

Novak Djokovic suffered another early exit as he crashed out of the Barcelona Open on Wednesday.

The 12-time Grand Slam winner was sent packing by qualifier Martin Klizan, who won 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 in one hour and 41 minutes to secure the biggest win of his career.

The Slovak, who is ranked 140th in the world, had lost all his previous encounters against Djokovic, but he broke the former world No 1 in the opening game and then consolidated his lead with another break in game five.

However, the sixth seed came storming back in the second set as he broke twice, but a single break in the eighth game of the decider helped Klizan to secure a famous win.

Monte Carlo Masters runner-up Kei Nishikori was another casualty as he had to retire with a wrist problem while being 6-3 down against Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.

Second seed Grigor Dimitrov had no such problems as he breezed past Gilles Simon, beating the Frenchman 6-2, 6-1 in an hour and 22 minutes.

Third seed Dominic Thiem also advanced as he overcame Spaniard Jaume Munar 7-6 (10-8), 6-1.

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