too bad I wasn't able to watch this match live...great article...good job Nole!

This was the match I went to Queens to see yesterday.

Part of the reason for Janko's retirement was that he wanted to be okay by next weekend's Davis Cup tie against Argentina. Making his first slam quarterfinal was achievement enough for a guy who has already made this year's goal of breaking the top 20; with Davis Cup coming up, he didn't want to risk his hamstring any further.

was roger having a great night or was tsonga having a bad night?
and yes, egg on my face all.

tina (Шампион!)

and we must all admit, the guy played a near-perfect game.
looking forward to seeing much more of him; i think djo's met his match in Tipsarevic - - they put on quite a show. congrats. to both of them.

Extreme tennis!!

I watched this match and have to say that the first two sets were by far the best I have ever seen Janko play. If he gets this kind of motivation more often (and with some consistency), he can break top 10 easy. His record (4-0) against Berdych is no fluke at all. I am glad that A. Friedman wrote this article - a refreshing and positive outlook at last!

RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROGER!

Served great today, ground strokes were firing and played aggressively. Keep this up against Novak and you have a decent chance. It won't be easy, but we believe in ya Fed!

ALLEZ!

I thought Tipsarevic played a good tournament up until the moment he retired. In other tournaments, he always seemed a little erratic and not much of a threat..in this tournament, he looked like he could go all the way. Very good first two sets, and then I think he ran out of steam.

Sorry for my comment about Roger on this article - the RR for Fed-Tsonga isn't up yet and I had to express my excitement somewhere ;)

I don't know who that was out on the court with Fed, but it wasn't Jo-Willy Tsonga.

After every point, I keept expecting him to reach up to his forehead, grasp the tab of a hidden zipper, pull it down to his waist, and out would pop John McEnroe or Billie Jean King or somebody!!!

Wow, talk about a complete turnaround...

Major kudos to Tipsarevic. He played Nole straight up for two sets, and in fact had the better of him. The great thing was that Nole never panicked. He now has enough in the tank to take a bruising for two of the hardest played sets I've ever seen and then just roll. This sets up the match of the year. Fed wins and he validates the semi at Roland Garros. Nole wins and he erases it. There's no love lost between these two, I expect a dogfight of the first order, and I just can't see Nole going down in 3 of 5. But that's why they play the game.

I didn't watch the Serbian match, but why didn't Tipsarevic finish? I understand from this RR and the comments that he played really well, but it's embarrassing not to finish the match. Just lose the 4th set 6-0, but finish. This is impossible in tennis these days, this trend not to finish matches just because you don't think you have a chance to win any more, you feel less than perfect physically, your movement is hampered etc. In fact as a player you really need to play to the end unless you have a _strong_ reason not to finish. A strong reason is NOT "oh I'd better save myself for next week's event because it doesn't look like I'm winning this one anyway." This is terrible. Unfortunately Nole himself is part of this trend and encourages. His retirement against Murray in Cincinnati was terrible too. What's wrong with accepting that you lose a match, and lose it to the end?

In fact I'm surprised that the writer of this RR, Andrew Friedman, condones Tipsarevic's retirement. What is the moral here for a player, "if I fight and play well for a set, then I can retire in the next because I've done enough in this match already"? Tennis journalists should think straight about this issue and be much more critical of the retirements.

@Maria

As you said Maria, you didn't watch it so there you go. You missed out on a lot of things on this match.

Tipsa felt pain in his left leg and, as Tina already posted, did not want to compromise his Davis Cup appearance against Argentina in Belgrade next week. We watched absolute atomic tennis. Looking forward to the semis! Thanks for an objective article.

Ok off topic posting, but not ONE SECOND of the Penetta/Kerber match was broadcasted, never mind it's one of the biggest stories of the open (or should be) that a #92 ranked player in the world is now in the semifinals!

Serbian tennis....retire when unwinable!!!!

Bravo Andrew,and thank you for your warm and kind words you wrote about this great match!

This was very nice to read about Tipsarevic, particularly the lack of "minion" talk. :) Thanks!

@Maria,Alvin

Ha Ha Ha
Keep hating on the serbs, it just helps fuel the fire!

Yes Alvin, 'retire when unwinable'. That's how a player climbs to no 1 in the world. Ha ha....

Simple put, Janko played top level tennis in first two sets, even Djokovic's tennis was on high level, but to see Janko playing that well, was something really refreshing from this guy. He got enough talent to easily be in top 10, but his lack of consistency in past, was the main reason he is not. Hopefully this great result from US Open will embrace him to keep playing well. Go Go Jankela, and good luck Nole in next matches!

@Alvin ... Serbian tennis ... dominating the world since 2010! :)

Tipsy played incredible the first 2 sets- any even slightly short ball was absolutely pummeled away at 100mph, often at an impossible angle. Djoker did well to keep in it because tips would have been beating anyone at that point. Top 10 easy if he keeps it up.

Also a much needed match hardening for Djokovic in prep for Fed.

Interesting times...

Three more games will save Tipsy "literally" for the upcoming Davis Cup tie?
Pleaseeee

Alvin go to watch Kalesija open.:))) Thanks Nole and Tipsa for great match.

Tipsarevic is a vain loser.

He still can't come to terms that he never fulfilled his junior promise. NOt nice to see.

Injury, injury, injury, folks! Hamstring injury. Ever have one? It's unwise to even walk when you get one. You Tipsarevic critics watch too many Hollywood movies, where the hero gets blown up but keeps on fighting.
That's sci-fi - this is reality.

In boxing, there's the referee, the ringside doctor, and the fighter's corner - all of whom can stop the fight when a player is injured and at risk of even greater injury. In tennis, only the player can "stop the fight".

Please, [en]lighten up!

@DdD

I like that one!!!

Richard, it was only three more games... but you may be right, I don't know.

"Tipsa felt pain in his left leg and, as Tina already posted, did not want to compromise his Davis Cup appearance against Argentina in Belgrade next week. We watched absolute atomic tennis. Looking forward to the semis! Thanks for an objective article."

you don't seriously believe that, do you?
If he had the slightest of chances he would have ripped Novak to bits. But he couldn't so he quit. His only injury: an injured ego.

Ludicrous presumption, Doctor noleisthebest. At least you didn't play the "following a pre-match agreed-upon script" card!

Noleisthebest

Thank you for reminding me why I don't spend much time round here any more. How little can a mind be?

Cotton Jack,

as little as it suits you and makes you feel superior, and grand. If I were you, I'd be here non-stop.

noleisthebest - Please, help me. How do you KNOW that Tipsarevic did not sustain a hamstring injury?

@Noleisthebest

Weren't you defending your man after Cincinatti, claiming that he had a genuine injury?

How exactly do you know that Djoko was injured then and Tipsareic wasn't injured last night?

I thought that was an interesting match, Tipsarveic is always an exciting player, but as usual, he just isn't consistent enough. Glad to see he got a set though, as he deserved it.

Interestingly again Djoko had more errors than winners, and he wasn't playing a Tomic/dolgo opponent he was playing an attacking opponent. He'll probably still pick it up but he certainly isn't looking unbeatable atm. Who knows what will happen come saturday though, Fed vs Djoko could be another great match like last year.

a new definition of "under the radar": no Racquet Reaction on a Federer match since round two. none. not on his dropped set v Cilic, not on the über-performance v Monaco, not on the interesting match from last night.

Tsonga played (mostly: served) abysmal, and Roger didn't play as sharp as the scoreline might suggest. but it was interesting that he seemed to be content with his strategy: rather make an UE too many than a winner to few. he seemed set on taking initiative, moving Tsonga around and never allowing him to get into the offensive. together with a good read on Tsonga's serve, it worked very well imo, because it kept J-W from 'getting his groove'.

I was just glad to see someone playing! Enjoyed this djokovic match very much especially the sportsmanship at the unfortunate ending. Let the sun shine on the rest of the weekend!

DJB,

I was on holiday that week, so didn't post.
Amazing hate people pour out here, just because Nole is the best :) !!!!

Tipsa was unable to get to some balls you only need to extend an arm to get. He was also serving his 3rd serves. Why would he continue just to please the born-again's rapture gland? If he did just side-kick for another 3 games he'd be smeared just the same for the scoreline and 6-0 6-0 scoreline would really be unrepresentative of the match. I prefer it this way...

Amazing hate people pour out here, just because Nole is the best :) !!!!

@Noleisthebest - can't disagree on the hate people pour out on these posts. Your descriptions of - Tipsy (FWIW not one of my favourite players) as a 'vain loser' bitter about not living up to his junior potential, who has an injured ego and who took an unnecessary (how would you know?) retirement might come in to that category.

Bottom line is that Tipsy played excellent tennis for the first 2 sets and couldn't sustain it - unsurprising for a guy ranked 20 playing a Slam quarter final against his world no.1 compatriot.

I remember you used to post on the often ridiculous 606 threads but your posts were usually good humoured and fair. On the threads here i've seen nasty personal comments from you about Federer, Nadal, the William sisters, Dolgopolov and now even Novak's teammate and apparently close friend(?) Maybe best to get over your obsession?

I get it now, having wondered why an excellent player like Mr. Tipsarevic is getting mugged here. It's just an oblique way to criticize Mr. Djokovic. Why not come out of hiding and say the you don't believe that ND "really won" the match? I see many similar attacks on losing opponents of Ms. Wozniacki - nothing more than reluctance to give the winner credit for winning. Winners move on to the next round. What more must a player accomplish in a match?

Tipsa played an amazing match and retired due to a pulled hamstring. These two have been close friends since childhood and often practice together on tour. Prior to the match there were many jokes that Janko was a "minion" for Novak when in reality, they rarely play one another. Furthermore, nothing about Janko's game indicated he was going to roll over for his old friend - just winning a set off Novak is an achievement this year. It offends me that some people think he threw the match when the guy gave his all and played a better match against Djokovic than most people this year. Definitely a better match than the Federer semi in Melbourne.

Ooooh, will people get off my back...I'm beginning to feel like Jose Mourinho...

As for Tipsarevic, I hope he continues to play with same venom against other players, not just his friends...

GO NOLEEEEEE!!!!!

whose hating?

I'm just wondering how you are so sure Tipsarevic withdrew because he of his ego and had nothing to do with an injury? He seemed to me as if he couldn't run at at the start of the 4th set.

You must be willing to accept that Djoko then withdrew in cinci because of his ego and couldn't stand losing to Murray so withdrew? nothing to do with shoulder problems clearly. Check the highlights on youtube if you haven't seen it.

I don't hate Djoko. I'm just posing the same question against your player because you clearly felt the need to have a go at Tipsarevic.

P.S. Friendly piece of advice. If you want people off your back try not to be so obnoxious. Be happy for your player without feeling the need to degrade others.

Posted by silverlining 09/09/2011 at 08:38 AM
Amazing hate people pour out here, just because Nole is the best :) !!!!

@Noleisthebest - can't disagree on the hate people pour out on these posts. Your descriptions of - Tipsy (FWIW not one of my favourite players) as a 'vain loser' bitter about not living up to his junior potential, who has an injured ego and who took an unnecessary (how would you know?) retirement might come in to that category.

Bottom line is that Tipsy played excellent tennis for the first 2 sets and couldn't sustain it - unsurprising for a guy ranked 20 playing a Slam quarter final against his world no.1 compatriot.

I remember you used to post on the often ridiculous 606 threads but your posts were usually good humoured and fair. On the threads here i've seen nasty personal comments from you about Federer, Nadal, the William sisters, Dolgopolov and now even Novak's teammate and apparently close friend(?) Maybe best to get over your obsession?

Well said silverlining, I have also read 606 and 606v2 over the years and I have noticed some really snide comments from NITB ever since Djoko started playing well.

"Ooooh, will people get off my back..." Put yourself on the dunking stool and take your chances. And if you REALLY want attention, get a dog.

Did anyone keep track of how many times Tipsarevic fell down during the match? Seemed like at least 5 times to me, but I'd missed out on some of the match (mostly after the 2nd set).

Talk about fuss over nothing... if he carried on he would have just lost 3 straight games, nothing worth seeing for the fans. He could have seen it to the end but so effing what?

More interesting is how awesome he was in the first 2 sets!

"More interesting is how awesome he was in the first 2 sets! "

Yes. He was awesome!

But, seriously, folks, what did you think of his shades?

Did any of you Tipsy quitting supporters watch him walk off the court sans any sort of limp that would imply an unbearable hamstring injury? Man up, and finish the match. I have personally pulled hammies running the bases in the first inning of softball games, and limped around until the end - and I was neither playing for money nor playing in front of thousands of paying fans. If you are going to quit, then you should have an actual injury or illness, not just a little pain.

lucky for djoko, Tipsy is solid every aspect regarding serving/rally/moving, he can be top 10 if consistent onwards like Wawrinka last year.

but federer looking very very strong, looks like french open beat down gonna happen again, djoko just not at his top form and not able to read/penetrate the opponent quickly we can tell from last 3 matches.

j6_strings --- You were not invested in a long-term professional softball CAREER either. "Man up"? Even when it's stupid? Ho hum, another case of Hollywood action-movie syndrome, I guess.

Mr. Tipsarevic was already favoring one leg and wincing in the last two games of the second set. I invite you to watch the replays - or divulge the source of your apparently psychic diagnostic powers.

Bravo Murray and Isner. A thrilling match!

I think Tipsa and Nole played a great match, it has been unfortunate that Tipsa had to retire, surely not without a good reason. About Novak, he looks vincible, but not beatable. Watch that tennis again.