Croatians and Serbs, an upset, goodbye Djokovic

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Played on Stadium Court 2 in front of significant numbers of both Croatians and Serbians (who have been known not to get along), big-serving, bald-headed, 30-year-old Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia, upset second-seeded Novak Djokovic of Serbia 7-5, 6-3 Wednesday in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Djokovic, who arrived here fighting a cold and exhaustion after pulling Serbia through a first-round Davis Cup win over the United States (the first time his country had ever beaten the U.S.), had struggled to find his best form on the first really hot afternoon, Ljubicic often overpowered Djokovic with big serves. Ljubicic got the key service break in the sixth game of the second set with a monster forehand and on match point he popped off a 135 mph service winner. The bald-headed Ljubicic bellowed and fist-pumped some Croatian fans. Djokovic can look forward to a chance for revenge though. In the next round of Davis Cup Croatia hosts Serbia. Djokovic has chosen to sit out Davis Cup this year and after the match he said even the prospect of his country playing Serbia is not going to change his mind.

There had already been an upset on the women’s side Wednesday when fourth-seeded Elena Dementieva was knocked out by Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska 6-4, 6-3.

-- Diane Pucin