Djokovic, Ljubicic Suffer Third Round Exits

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Fourth seed Novak Djokovic and fifth seed Ivan Ljubicic were knocked out of the Artois Championships in the third round, both losing to French opponents on day five at The Queen’s Club.

Djokovic went down 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 at the hands of Arnaud Clement, while Nicolas Mahut recorded a 7-6(3), 6-3 win over Ljubicic.

In the quarterfinals, Clement will meet former finalist Ivo Karlovic, while Mahut takes on top seed and World No. 2 Rafael Nadal.

Clement defeated Karlovic on grass in ‘s-Hertogenbosch three years ago, but the Croat gained his revenge later that year at the Athens Olympics.

Mahut and Nadal will meet for the first time. Nadal needed just three minutes to complete his third round victory over Max Mirnyi. Play was suspended on Thursday evening with Nadal about to serve for the match leading 7-6(3), 5-3.