"It's just amazing": Qualifier Klizan defeats Djokovic in Barcelona

The hopes of a blockbuster quarterfinal clash between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell were ended on Wednesday, as Martin Klizan fought his way past Djokovic in a see-saw three-setter in the second round of the ATP 500-level event.

A former No. 24, Klizan is currently ranked No. 140 and had to go through qualifying just to get into the main draw in Barcelona. But he came out swinging against Djokovic—a player he had never beaten in four previous meetings—breaking in the very first game and eventually taking the opening set, 6-2.

Djokovic rebounded with an almost flawless 6-1 second set, losing just seven points to tie the match at one set apiece, and he stayed on serve with Klizan for the first seven games of the third set.

But Klizan cracked the match open one last time with a break for 5-3 in the decider and held serve to close out the world No. 12—and former world No. 1—after an hour and 39 minutes, 6-2, 1-6, 6-3.

Match point from Djokovic's loss to Klizan in Barcelona:

The Slovak, who reached the semifinals in his last appearance in Barcelona back in 2015, was understandably thrilled with the win. “From my side it was a great match,” he said. “I always play good tennis in Barcelona, I think, and I’m just enjoying it again here. I’m happy to be in the third round.

“I’ve played with Novak already four times before but all four times was on a different surface than clay, this was the first time on clay finally, and I beat him. It’s a great feeling, it’s just amazing.”

Klizan also had some kind words for Djokovic.

“I know he’s coming back through a tough time. I know how tough it is to come back from injury. It’s not a great time. It’s tough to come back and play top tennis. I want to wish him all the best and I’m sure he’s going to come back stronger in a few weeks.”

While Djokovic has been struggling with an elbow injury, Klizan has been trying to work his way back up the rankings after a calf injury that forced him to retire or withdraw from a total of nine tournaments last year.

“I’m also coming back from very serious injuries from a couple of years ago, a couple of months ago—it’s tough to come back. I think today, I was just more prepared from the two of us.”

Klizan has now won back-to-back main draw matches at an ATP event for the first time since Munich last May.

ATP Barcelona Outer Courts (4/23-4/26)

-Catch all the action from Barcelona with outer-court coverage live on Tennis Channel Plus beginning Monday April 23 at 5 a.m. ET