MIAMI, March 28 (UPI) -- Coming off a win at the first Masters Series event of the year, Novak Djokovic was eliminated Friday in the second round of the Sony Ericsson Open.
Djokovic, ranked third in the world, fell to qualifier Kevin Anderson 7-6 (7-1), 3-6, 6-4. Anderson, who stands 6-7 and is ranked only 122nd in the world, left his native South Africa to play at the University of Illinois. He reached his first ATP final three weeks ago in Las Vegas.
Djokovic was the defending champion in this event and lost for only the fourth time in 21 matches this year.
Ninth-seeded James Blake fought off an upset bid by Andreas Seppi to reach the third round with a 7-5, 6-3 victory.
Friday was the first day seeded players had appeared in the tournament, having received byes past the first round.
Paul-Henri Mathieu fought off Marin Cilic 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 and Juan Carlos Ferrero overcame Albert Montanes 6-3, 6-2.
Fabrice Santoro pulled off a mild upset by defeating 23rd-seeded Ivan Ljubicic 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, 6-3.
