Troicki stuns top seed Djokovic at Croatia Open

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-07-26 08:39

UMAG, Croatia - Serbia's Viktor Troicki caused the latest upset at the Croatian Open when he rallied from a set down to overcome top seeded compatriot Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-4 7-5 on Wednesday, clinching a spot in the quarter-finals.

Serbian Novak Djokovic reacts as he plays Spainish Rafael Nadal during their semi final at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, in south London. Djokovic retired injured mid-way through their clash on Court One. [AFP]

The 21-year-old qualifier belied his world ranking of 176 to overpower Djokovic in a match lasting more than two hours and will next face Argentina's Carlos Berlocq, who ousted Romania's Victor Hanescu 6-7 6-4 6-2.

Troicki's victory left the tournament without the top three seeds after Djokovic joined Russia's Nikolay Davydenko and Croat Ivan Ljubicic on the sidelines, the second and third seed having lost first round matches earlier in the week.

Davydenko's conqueror, France's Gilles Simon, ended home hopes of a tournament victory when he defeated the sole remaining Croat in the draw, his 7-5 2-6 6-3 win over Marin Cilic earning a spot in the last eight.

Despite putting up some stiff resistance, Cilic was unable to avenge his loss to the same opponent at Wimbledon last month.

Simon next faces Argentine fifth seed Guillermo Canas, who registered a comfortable 6-4 6-3 win over Spain's Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo.

The three remaining seeds -- four-times winner here Carlos Moya of Spain, his compatriot David Ferrer and Italy's Filippo Volandri will attempt to book quarter-final berths on Thursday.