Djokovic crashes out in Marseille

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2008

MARSEILLE, France (AFP) — Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, who suffered a crippling fever on Davis Cup duty at the weekend, slumped to defeat at the Marseille Open on Thursday.

The Serbian top seed, and world number three, playing his first match since suffering from flu at the Davis Cup World Group clash against Russia in Moscow, fell 6-2, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3 to unseeded Frenchman Gilles Simon.

Djokovic missed three days of practice ahead of last week's tie and was forced to skip his opening singles rubber in Moscow.

Despite opening up a two-set lead over Nikolay Davydenko in Sunday's reverse singles, the 20-year-old was forced to retire as his legs got heavier and his body more weary.

"I wasn't 100 percent," said Djokovic. "When you aren't 100...