It does not often happen that Novak Djokovic loses two matches in a row, but it happened in the Olympic tennis tournament and that means that the world setter will be without a medal in the men's singles.

A big disappointment for the Serb who several times during the match showed strong emotions when the game went against him and was not in balance.

It was clear that it was important for him to get a medal.

On one occasion in the third set, Djokovic threw the racket with force on the empty stand after a missed ball, something that could have ended badly if there were spectators sitting there.

A moment later, he smashed his racket with full force against the net post.

No point penalty

The referee had no doubts and he gave a penalty in favor of Carreno Busta.

Eleven-ranked Carreno Busta, who was in the semifinals of the US Open last year, impressed with his hard forehand which gave many points and also served very well.

He did not lose his own serve game during the match.

Djokovic needed to recharge mentally before the bronze match and did not really have the sharpness in the first set where the Spaniard could break the Serb's serve game at one point and go on to set victory, 6-4.

In the second set, the Spaniard began to fail in the tiebreak when the medal was only a few points away.

Four simple mistakes in a row gave Djokovic the lead in the tiebreak, but Carreno Busta came back and forced a match ball - which the Serb saved.

Djokovic was then able to turn around and win the tiebreak, 8-6.

However, Carreno Busta did not manage to connect with it, as his team mates had hoped, and the ball went out.

Djokovic saved four more match balls before the Spaniard served home the bronze and then collapsed on the court and cheered loudly.

Bronze chance in mixed

Djokovic's ambition was to win all four major tennis tournaments and the Olympics this year, and he has won the three opening grand slam tournaments.

But he lost in the semifinals in Tokyo.

German Alexander Zverev won in three sets and will play the final tomorrow against Karen Chatjanov, Russia.

The Serb is also in the mixed doubles, where he will play another bronze match.

Djokovic in pair with Nina Stojanovic lost the semifinal against a Russian pair and will play a match for third prize later in the day.

In that match, Djokovic meets another world number one, Australia's Ash Barty in a pair with John Peers.

Djokovic will now have to reload for the US Open in New York, which begins on August 30.