Dimitrov's Win Well Deserved, Djokovic Says

The Bulgarian up-and-comer saved set point at 5-4 down in the first and another in the tie-break before winning the first set in the longest best-of-three-set match thus far in 2013. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Novak Djokovic praised Bulgarian youngster Grigor Dimitrov after the latter shockingly defeated him in a breathtaking Madrid Open encounter late on Tuesday.

"I didn't prepare myself so well, but, look I'm not trying to find any excuses for the loss. I tried to do my best in this moment, and maybe my best is not like it was in Monte Carlo,” the world No. 1 said after the clash.

"All the credit also to Dimitrov, because he was the better player on the court. He was striking the ball really well, serving great, changing the pace, and, yeah, he deserved to win, as I said.

Djokovic told reporters that the ankle injury he suffered during the match was not serious.
"Luckily for me nothing really happened when I twisted the ankle during the match. It was a slight moment. I had good protection on my ankle.”

The Bulgarian up-and-comer saved set point at 5-4 down in the first and another in the tie-break before winning the first set in the longest best-of-three-set match thus far in 2013. He proceeded to defeat Djokovic 7-6 (8-6) 6-7 (8-10) 6-3.

The Bulgarian hadn't previously won a set against the six-time grand slam winner.

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