Red Hot Haas Ices Djokovic in Miami

Tommy Haas put on a vintage all-court tennis display as he knocked out Novak Djokovic to reach the quarterfinals of Miami.

By Erik Gudris

(March 26th, 2013) -- Tommy Haas, who turns 35 next week, played perhaps one of the best matches of his lengthy career against the World No.1 in the Sony Open Tennis event.

Haas was certainly the underdog against two-time defending champion and top seed Novak Djokovic before their fourth round match got underway. But on an unseasonably chilly and windy night, it was Haas who looked more comfortable in the brisk conditions despite having to blow on his hands several times to keep them warm.

Djokovic was off of his usually rock solid baseline game from the start and that allowed Haas to secure an early break of serve. The German than backed it up with stellar net coverage while routinely passing Djokovic who began to charge the net for no real reason. Another ill-advised venture to the net from Djokovic allowed Haas to break serve again. With an easy hold in the next game, Haas wrapped up the first set 6-2.

Djokovic's woes continued in the second set as he double faulted to hand Haas an early break. Djokovic still looked unsure of himself on court and often would lunge for forehands instead of going after them. Haas held to love and then pushed Djokovic into an 11-minute service game with Haas holding several break points chances. But Djokovic fought them off and finally held for 1-2. With a skip in his step as he headed to his chair, Djokovic looked poised to possibly turn things around.

He soon did with help from Haas who played his first poor game of the match while up 3-2. Djokovic broke Haas at love in what continued an 11-point run for the Serb as he climbed ahead 4-3. Haas held for 4-4 and once again he resumed mixing up his shots in the rallies with backhand slices before opening up the court with his forehand.

Haas got another break point chance in the next game and converted with a backhand volley for 5-4. Serving for the match, both men were greeted with a rowdy reception from the crowd as Haas attempted the upset. Once again, Haas's stellar net play and his solid backhand side paid dividends as he soon earned two match points.

Djokovic saved the first with a backhand volley winner but it was Haas, with a laser forehand down the line winner on the next point, who sealed the 6-2, 6-4 victory sending him into the quarterfinals.

Djokovic hit only seven winners but racked up 30 unforced errors on the night compared to Haas and his 13 winners and 18 unforced errors. Haas was also a solid seven of nine when coming to net.

For Haas, it was only second win over a currently ranked No. 1 player with his last win being over Andre Agassi in 1999 at the Grand Slam Cup.

Later in press, Djokovic gave full credit to Haas's performance but was not happy about his own.

"All the credit to him," said Djokovic. "He played a great match and he was the better player, no question about it. The results show everything, you know. As far as I'm concerned, it's definitely the worst match I have played in a long time."

Djokovic admitted that he never felt at home on court with its cold conditions.

"Yeah, it was very cold, and I just didn't find a better solution to come back to the match. Even though I was a break down, I managed to come back and then when I needed to step in I didn't. I made so many unforced errors from forehand side, and it's just the way it is."

When asked about maintaining such a high level for most of the match, Haas said, "It's tough obviously. It's one of the biggest challenges out there. You know, even looking at Novak Djokovic's results the last two years, two‑and‑a‑half years, it's just crazy, you know. You look at Roger last eight, nine years, and Nadal, how tough they are and maintaining that level. It's something really special. Not everybody has that gift. So I'm happy to have done it somehow a little bit tonight."

Haas will next play Gilles Simon who took out No. 7 seed Janko Tipsarevic earlier in the evening 5-7, 6-2, 6-2.

(Photo Credit: AP)