Novak Djokovic has been beaten by Tomas Machac 6-4 0-6 6-1 in the Geneva Open semi-finals, meaning he'll head off to defend his French Open title still without a tournament triumph in 2024.
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Machac was down 1-4 before eventually taking the opening set on Friday, as Djokovic requested a medical timeout at the end of it.
The Serb improved to fight back in the second set but faded again in the decider, allowing Machac earn his second top-10 win and reach a maiden final.
"I have no reaction right now, I just fought for every ball," Machac said. "When you play against Novak, you just hope. You just try to play your best and see what it looks like.
"I am looking forward to playing in a final for the first time."
Djokovic, who turned 37 on Wednesday, is yet to reach a final this season, having requested the Geneva wildcard following his hammering in Rome in the last 32 by little-known journeyman Alejandro Tabilo.
Two days earlier, in a freak accident, Djokovic had been hit on the head by a fan's water bottle while signing autographs.
He will start the defence of his French Open title against France's Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the first round.
Machac, who was facing a top-10 player on clay for the first time, became the first Czech to make the final in Geneva since Tomas Smid in 1987.
He will play two-time champion Casper Ruud or Italian Flavio Cobolli for the title on Saturday.
Australian Associated Press
