Djokovic Stunned By Lucky Loser Nardi At Indian Wells; Sinner v Shelton, Kerber v Wozniacki
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Maybe time is catching up to Novak Djokovic. The Serb, who did not look particularly good at the Australian Open, then struggled a bit in his Indian Wells opener Saturday, was ushered out of the event in stunning fashion Monday by world No. 123 Luca Nardi 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
Nardi, who was a lucky loser in the event (he lost in qualies), would send an early message breaking Djokovic at 2-all in the first before the Serb jumped back on top early in the second. Game on.
The 20-year-old has no issue hanging with Djokovic, and often got better of the rallies behind his great power. He struck the final blow breaking Djokovic to go up 4-2 in the third.
“Congrats to him for particularly in the third set playing some great, great tennis,” Djokovic said in defeat.
“I watched him play. I didn’t know much about him, but I watched him play, and I knew he possesses great quality tennis from the baseline, especially the forehand side. Moves well. Very talented.
“He got in as a Lucky Loser to main draw, so he really didn’t have anything to lose, so he played great. Deserved to win. I was more surprised with my level. My level was really, really bad.
“That’s it, you know. These two things come together. He’s having a great day; I’m having a really bad day. Results as a negative outcome for me.
“I helped him play well, and I didn’t help myself at all.”
Djokovic, a 5-time tournament champion, was playing his first Indian Wells since 2019, and just his second event of the year.
“I could have done everything different,” Djokovic added. “Very poor performance from my side.
“Yeah, no titles this year. That’s not something I’m used to. I was starting the season most of my career with a Grand Slam win or, you know, Dubai win, or any or tournament.
“It’s fine. You know, it’s part of the sport. You just have to accept it. Some you win; some you lose. Hopefully I’ll win some more and still keep going.”
Djokovic will now look ahead to Miami while Nardi is into the final 16 at a Masters.
“I think that before this night no one knew me,” Nardi said. “I hope that the crowd enjoyed the game. I’m super happy with this one.
“I think it is a miracle, because I am a 20-year-old guy, 100 in the world, and beating Novak. It’s crazy.”
Former runner-up Daniil Medvedev moved on in a 16-break match defeating Sebastian Korda 6-4, 5-7, 6-3. Medvedev along had 22 break points converting nine.
In the women’s draw, Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka eased past US Open winner Emma Raducanu 6-3, 7-5.
And Elise Mertens knocked out comeback girl Naomi Osaka 7-5, 6-4.
Today, world No. 1 Iga Swiatek returns in fourth round action against Yulia Putintseva. Former No. 1s Caroline Wozniacki and Angelique Kerber collide.
For the men, Carlos Alcaraz takes on the guy who beat him in Rome, Fabian Marozsan and in the match of the day, Jannik Sinner puts a 17-match win streak on the line against Ben Shelton. It’s their third meeting — they split two last fall.
INDIAN WELLS TUESDAY SCHEDULE
Stadium 1 – 11 a.m.
Anastasia Potapova vs. Jasmine Paolini
Not before 1 p.m.
Fabian Marozsan vs. Carlos Alcaraz
Coco Gauff/Jessica Pegula vs. Asia Muhammad/Ena Shibahara or Gabriela Dabrowski/Erin Routliffe
6 p.m.
Ben Shelton vs. Jannik Sinner
Iga Swiatek vs. Yulia Putintseva
Stadium 2- 11 a.m.
Jiri Lehecka vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas
Not before 1 p.m.:
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs. Marta Kostyuk
Alexander Zverev vs. Alex De Minaur
6 p.m.
Angelique Kerber vs. Caroline Wozniacki
Wesley Koolhof/Nikola Mektic vs. Ivan Dodig/Austin Krajicek
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