Doha, January 09 (QNA) - Novak Djokovic suffered a surprise loss against Croatia's Ivo Karlovic 6-7 (2-7) 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 in the Qatar Open quarter-finals in Doha.

The six-foot 11-inch, 35-year-old Karlovic, the tallest and oldest player on the main tour, won 6-7 (2-7), 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 to make the semifinals. Seven-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic often appeared affected by the conditions, especially with his ground strokes, but that did not prevent Karlovic hammering down another 21 aces, making 67 for the tournament so far. 

That took him to within 12 of Andy Roddick’s 9,074 aces, the second highest ever. Djokovic was sufficiently exasperated to fling down his racquet in the second set and to sling it along the floor in the third, eventually settling for a smile and congratulations to Karlovic. 

Djokovic nevertheless feels he still has a decent chance of winning the Australian Open for the fourth time in five years, especially as a doubles loss to Rafael Nadal later in the day left him free to fly to Melbourne earlier than expected.

The 14-times Grand Slam winner from Spain had himself suffered a stunning singles loss, in the first round, and afterwards made sympathetic noises. In the semi-finals, Karlovic will face Spain's David Ferrer, who overcame Germany's Dustin Brown 6-2 6-2. Third seed Tomas Berdych from the Czech Republic will face Italy's Andreas Seppi in the other semi. (QNA)