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Nieminen upsets Djokovic

Nieminen upsets Djokovic

Friday 16 January 2009 46 Comments »

Finnish left-hander Jarkko Nieminen has upset top seed Novak Djokovic to book a date with David Nalbandian in the final of the Medibank International Sydney.

Nieminen – and the blustery conditions – frustrated an error-prone Djokovic, who was below his best in the quarter final match. The Finn, who benefited from a walkover on Wednesday night when Jo-Wilfried Tsonga withdrew from their quarter final, defeated the Serb 6-4  7-6(3).

It was the first time Nieminen had scored a victory over Djokovic, who before today’s match had won both their previous encounters in 2006 and 2007.

On Saturday night when he takes on Nalbandian, Nieminen will be aiming to become the first Finnish player to win the title in Sydney.

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  • Cosmo

    GO… Jarkko GO…!

  • Jykke

    Great job Jarkko ! Nice to see him coming back to a level he earns. Good Luck for future games !

  • Ilkka

    Hienoa Jarkko! Finaalissa katuu Nalbandian!

    Greetings from Finland!

  • JR

    Way to go, Jarkko!
    It’s only up to top-10 now…

    All the best for tomorrow!

  • Fin…nish!!!

    Go Nieminen!!!! Well done.

  • Arska

    It`s a miracle! Jarkko is a solid palyer, but normally his head isn`t up to his physics…

    I am sure that he will lost (sadly) once again in final. He`s been in fonal 8 times and won only one.

  • Fan

    It was truly a great match for Nieminen who definitely deserved the victory!! He played all the major balls better and came back even when Djokovic was close to win the second set.

    Saturday will determine if Nieminen is ready to start climbing back to top 20…

  • pasi kokko

    Great !
    Nice surprise.
    Time to beat Nalbandian in the final’s…

  • Finnisher

    Way to Go Jarkko!!!!! First we take Nalbandian, then we take Melbourne ;-) Congratulations!!!

  • ikaros

    Novak is finished!

    Way to go Jarkko!! After frustrating second half of 2008 this is just the positive start what is needed on a way to top 20.

  • fan

    ALL THE WAY JAKE! May the SISU be with you!

  • Pekka

    Well done Jarkko!
    Give us more tomorrrow!
    Hope You play as well against Nalbandian!
    Go for Vivtory!

  • http://futisforum2.org Jannu Puro

    VAMOOS Jarkko! No more pupellus!!! This time we can go all the way!!!

  • http://www.kolumbus.fi/kris.kid Matti Kid Hytönen

    Wonderful, Jarkko! I have been following your tournament success since Stockholm Open quite a lot of years ago. and I really wish you big gains in the future. Now beat Nalbandian!

  • http://www.ergostartti.fi Jukka

    Well done Jarkko !!!! Go for the final ! Be hard !

  • Marisa Mah-Chut

    Hyva Nieminen!
    great work jarkko.
    Im so glad he is in the final!.

  • FABIOLA FUENTES

    GREAT LEVEL OF TENNIS,ENJOYED VERY MUCH.
    CONGRATULATION TO NIEMINEN, SHOULD WIN THE FINAL.
    FAB

  • Jill

    I wanted Novak to win.

  • Timo

    Excellent work Jarkko. Greetings from cold Helsinki!

  • JR

    Way to go, Jarkko!

    It’s now to top-10!

  • Yana

    Every time Djokovic has a real chance to become Nr2, he fails! There have been numerous in 2008, but this year it is already the second (after Brisbane)

  • henrik treskman

    It is a shame that such a great sportmen and a former nr 13 never has been been elected as sportsmen of the year in his own country.He deserves it many times.

  • darko

    Djokovic is not ready for Melbourne Cup. Best wishes but on court he does not look good at all. However all the best for Serbian and Australian players.

  • vezna

    cannot win all the time

  • vezna

    Djokovic-Drained from the night before maybe..Place my $$$
    on Nalbandien to win final…..

  • Nina Nykopp

    Way to go Jarkko!!! We always knew you have the talent – maybe this will be your Year, we certainly hope so. All the best. Nina, Erik, Carla & Casper Nykopp

  • Kari

    Yeeeeees! After this good personal start for 2009, this is not the only upset Nieminen will make in 2009. Beware.

  • jakke fan

    YEAH JAKKEEEEEE

    =]

  • Mark

    Great job Jarkko ! Jarkko will beat argentinian and conquer Sydney : )

  • PJ

    totally had my photo taken with Djokovic. And Nieminen for that matter. =)

  • http://www.jarkkonieminen.net/eng/etusivu.html Only one game anymore

    This is absolutely fantastic! You have had 9 finals and 1 won, i think this is the time to win again. I’m waiting for your winning. Kiitos Jarkko ja tuo pokaali kotiin!

    Impassioned finnish sports fan

  • Jaana

    Congratulations Jarkko! Hyvä Jarkko!

  • Anónimo

    Great Jarkko.

  • http://www.suero22312.com Anónimo

    Great!

  • Jone

    Jarkko you did it what we expect!!! …with the help of experience and Finnish SISU

  • Jim

    Jarkko is a flying finn – newer giving up.

    Great performance!

  • Ilkka Koivula

    Gongratulation Jarkko! You beat Tsonga and Djokovic first time. You are in final. Previous matches with Nalbandian have been pretty even so there is a good chance to win it. It’s nice to see you in this great form going to Australian open.

  • Esa Kurki

    Finally Jarkko! We’ve been waiting this for ages but we knew that some day this is true! And best wishes to Troy De Haas, one of the best orienteerer in Australia.

  • http://www.medibankinternational.com.au/2009/01/nieminen-upsets-djokovic Lev

    i can not belive Djokovic lost. i wanted him to win so bad!

  • Kirsty

    Good on him!
    What a great effort from Nieminen, i’m glad that he won!

  • player

    Great!
    People from Iisalmi-Luuniemi-town (“Finnish Tennis Paradise”) congratulate You and wishes good luck for final!

  • jan tiilikainen

    That’s the way Jarkko. Thank you for bringing Finland closer to the world map!!!!!!

  • Mikko

    Hienoa Jarkko!
    Congrats on a great win – now turn your sights on to Nalbandian.
    Focused, relaxed and ready to fight hard you’ll topple Nalbandian. Remember:”pressure is the privilege of champions!”

  • sue. browne

    Go Jarko! good luck against David tonight.17/1/09

  • Jovana

    NAWW DJOKOVOIC WAS EXHAUSTED, djokovic should’ve won but .
    melbourne cup :)
    GOOOD LUCK NOLEE !! WOOO LOVE U

  • http://www.atptennis.com Timo

    it was very fun…dont hurt the losers

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