With overnight rains slowing down the court, Djokovic found himself playing his style and possibly better.  Andreas Seppi has been on the tour a long time floating around 50 in the rankings, but this year, he lifted his game.  In particular, Seppi did it in Djokovic’s own tournament.  Djokovic decided not to play Belgrade because of the loss of his grandfather.  With the hometown tournament’s best player in absentia, the field was wide open.  Seppi took the tournament, which was his first title on clay and only his second title ever (he won on grass at Eastbourne last year).

Djokovic looked off-balance throughout the match, and found himself on the losing end of long rallies with Seppi taking big swipes to close out points, and otherwise keeping up with Djokovic.  However, Seppi had come off a five setter over Verdasco and may not have had enough gas or consistency to beat Djokovic.  It’s not that Djokovic played so much better, but that Seppi’s game started to err.

This is the third time Djokovic has come from 2 sets down to win a match.  Final score: 46, 67, 63, 75 63.

Federer also looked a touch flat against David Goffin, a lucky loser.  Goffin kept even in the first set, and took a big forehand to win the first set.  Federer won a close second set where he didn’t get a break chance until 5-all, but began to assert himself in the third set, 62.  He’s started the fourth set with an early break and appears to have figured out 21 year old, Goffin.  Goffin’s best shot appears to be his backhand.  He needs to build a bit more consistency, but has potential to do well.

Federer leads 57, 75, 62, 21.