Serbian sizzles in heat to send Querrey packing

Serbian Janko Tipsarevic blasted 16 aces in a dominating service performance to oust US sixth seed Sam Querrey 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 on a sweltering Wednesday at the ATP Washington Classic.

In a rematch of a Los Angeles semi-final in which Querrey saved a match point and went on to win on his way to a title, Tipsarevic won 29-of-31 first-serve points and 20-of-24 on his second serve.

“My serve usually helps me. Today was a little more than I expected,” said Tipsarevic. ``The difference was in my game. I was serving much better. I won my games more easily, not running and grinding for my points, so I was fresher for the return.

“I’m so happy with these conditions I was able to close it out in two sets.”

The heat and humidity took a toll, prompting Latvian Ernests Gulbis to retire after Ukraine’s Illya Marchenko had taken a 6-1, 1-0 lead.

WASHINGTON, Aug 4, 2010 (AFP)