Rochus upsets Djokovic in first round at Key Biscayne
Former champion Novak Djokovic lost his opening match at the Sony Ericsson Open to Olivier Rochus 6-2, 6-7 (7), 6-4 Friday.
Djokovic won the tournament in 2007 and arrived at Key Biscayne with a 15-3 record this year. But he looked listless at times against Rochus, and by the third set fans were groaning as his errors mounted.
Ranked No. 2, Djokovic drew scattered jeers when he left the court. He responded with a thumbs-up signal.
Djokovic double-faulted 10 times and lost 30 of 44 second-serve points, including 13 of 17 in the final set. He committed 62 unforced errors and converted only three of 13 break-point chances.
Rochus, ranked 59th, improved to 5-8 this year.
In women's play, No. 2-seeded Caroline Wozniacki rallied past qualifier Tsvetana Pironkova 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Defending champion Victoria Azarenka won her opening match, beating Alexandra Dulgheru 6-3, 6-2.
Azarenka, seeded fourth, advanced Friday on the same court where she earned the biggest victory of her career a year ago, beating Serena Williams in the final.
Azarenka finished shortly before rain began to fall, causing a 2½-hour delay. There was another delay of 50 minutes later in the afternoon.
In men's play, No. 24 Ivo Karlovic hit 28 aces, held every service game and beat Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-3. Karlovic had been 0-6 previously at Key Biscayne.
No. 12 Juan Carlos Ferrero and No. 15 David Ferrer also won. Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick were among those with matches scheduled later Friday.
