Like Rafael Nadal, who was ousted by fellow countryman, Novak Djokovic also fell prey to fellow Serb Janko Tipsarevic 7-6, 6-3 in the Madrid quarterfinals on Friday. But more than the match the World Number One blamed the blue clay for his defeat as did Nadal.
Tipsarevic now faces Roger Federer in the semifinal.
Djokovic and Nadal have threatened not to return next year unless the traditional red courts are reinstated. Tournament organizers have blamed the slick surface on excessive pressing that prevents the clay from penetrating the hard base.
