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 The 20-year-old Djokovic, the clear crowd favorite early, looked off in nearly every phase of his game, overhitting his usually reliable forehand and having trouble with his strong serve. He fell to 0-2 in the tournament that features the top eight men's singles players and doubles pairs.
Djokovic started off listless and was increasingly disconsolate as the match wore on. Because he has yet to win a set, he was mathematically eliminated from any chance of reaching the semifinals.
Djokovic said he had nothing left after playing more than 100 matches this year.
"Unfortunately again, I couldn't be even close to my level," he said. "I was frustrated because of that. I didn't feel so well physically, and mentally I just couldn't ... be so confident on the court. I didn't find any solutions."
He gave credit to Gasquet, a 21-year-old Frenchman.
"He was playing well," Djokovic said. "He's a very talented player and he's playing smart. "
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Gasquet, the last player to make the elite field, rebounded from a first-up loss in the Gold Group to second-ranked Rafael Nadal, who played No. 6 David Ferrer later in a matchup of Spaniard friends.
"Today I had nothing to lose," Gasquet said. "I just had to enjoy the moment to play in the Masters Cup and just to play my game. I did a perfect match. I played a lot of amazing shots with my backhand."
After Djokovic held serve to open the match, Gasquet ran off four games in a row to take command. Djokovic got one break back, but the deficit was too much to overcome. He was looking toward his supporters for some kind of answers as Gasquet held at love to take the set.
The second set was much of the same, with Gasquet breaking three more times. Djokovic, who tossed his racket in frustration twice, won only six of his 19 service points in the set and hit a backhand wide for his 27th unforced error on match point.
[Associated Press; By PAUL ALEXANDER]
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