Tennis-Djokovic faces ATP Finals battle after loss in Basel

Oct 30 (Reuters) Novak Djokovic missed a big chance to strengthen his push for a place at the end-of-year ATP Finals after a loss to Jan-Lennard Struff at the Swiss Indoors in Basel, leaving the Serb with precious few opportunities to make up ​ground in the race to Turin. Back in Basel for the first time in 15 ‌years, the 39-year-old Djokovic fell 6-7(4) 7-5 7-6(5) in the second round on Thursday, his first defeat by German veteran Struff in nine meetings. I knew I needed to go for it. There was only one way to play it. So I was very happy, said Struff, who clinched the win with his 27th ace of the match. The last ‌serve ​went into the corner like many balls today. I knew I ⁠had to play my best tennis ⁠to have a chance. The last eight times, he beat me very easily. So I m very pleased with the performance. The result left Djokovic 11th in the qualification race for the eight-player season finale, 319 points behind ninth-placed Rafael Jodar, who currently occupies the final qualif