Cincinnati--(lawntennismag.com) Top seeds and favorites Rafael Nadal of Spain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia both
were ousted Wednesday in second round surprise defeats.
Djokovic had enjoyed last week a dream tournament beating world number one Roger Federer of Switzerland in the final of Montreal but lost yesterday to
the more experienced Carlos Moya of Spain 6-4, 6-1. "I felt very confident," Moya said. "I knew I was going to have a good chance to beat him given the conditions
coming from winning in Montreal. I've been in his situation so I know what you think. I know how you feel. Everything is different for him."
Djokovic concurred,
"I felt a bit tired and didn't have enough time to prepare for this tournament. So it was unfortunately short period of time between the two tournaments."
Perhaps Nadal's exit was the more dramatic of the two losses Wednesday as he already stands a multiple gramd slam winner and more reasonable threat
to Federer. Seeded second, Nadal dropped the opening set, 7-6(7-5), and trailed 4-1 in the second before retiring from the match to unseeded Juan Monaco of
Argentina due to cramps and a left arm injury.
"I didn't feel nothing when I touched the racket," Nadal said. "I didn't have power in the legs. It was a strange feeling."
Gametime: ESPN2 live: (3)Roddick @12pm, (1)Federer @2pm[estimated], (9)Blake @6pm (all CST USA)
