Basel, Switzerland — Novak Djokovic fell to a shock defeat in the Swiss Indoors semifinals on Saturday, as Kei Nishikori of Japan beat the top-ranked Serb 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-0.
Djokovic was hampered by a shoulder injury yet stood just two points from victory at 5-4 in the second, when Nishikori turned the match around by winning a thrilling rally.
The 32nd-ranked Nishikori, a wild card entry who had been overmatched in the first set, raced away with the decider for a career-best victory. He will play Roger Federer in Sunday’s final after the defending champion beat his Beijing Olympics gold medal-winning doubles partner Stanislas Wawrinka 7-6 (5), 6-2.
“It’s unbelievable,” said the 21-year-old Nishikori, who is assured of his highest ever ranking when the new ATP list is published Monday. “In the first set I was actually playing terrible. In the second set I started playing well and getting a rhythm.”
Djokovic was twice treated for “pretty bad” pain in his right shoulder after having his service broken, but praised Nishikori as a deserved winner.
“He was getting impossible balls back and really making me play every shot,” said Djokovic, who was coming off a six-week break to treat a back injury. “He was better and I didn’t use the opportunities I had. I don’t think I should speak about that third set.”
Djokovic dropped to 68-4 this year, with two of his losses the result of injury retirements.
Nishikori joins his boyhood idol Federer, in the French Open semifinals, as the only players to beat Djokovic over the full distance in 2011.
Federer revealed that he practiced with Nishikori on Saturday morning to prepare him to face the world No. 1.
Nishikori was initially outclassed as Djokovic raced to a 5-1 lead, moving his opponent around the court with powerful ground strokes.
Djokovic then lost his serve and called for a medical timeout to treat his right shoulder. Pains in the same shoulder had prompted his retirement in the Cincinnati Masters final in August against Andy Murray. /ap