World number one Novak Djokovic has been eliminated from the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells by lucky loser Luca Nardi.
Nardi, aged 20, secured a spot in the last 16 with a 6-4 3-6 6-3 victory, setting up a match with American Tommy Paul. Currently ranked 123rd in the world, Nardi becomes the lowest-ranked player to defeat Djokovic at ATP Masters 1000 or Grand Slam level. Reflecting on his win, Nardi admitted, “I don’t know [how I held my nerve]. I think it is a miracle, because I am a 20-year-old guy, 100 in the world, and beating Novak. It’s crazy.”
Closing his triumph with his sixth ace, Nardi produced 16 winners in the last set compared to just two from the five-time Indian Wells champion.
Djokovic commented, “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.
I guess every trophy that eventually comes my way is going to be great, obviously to break the kind of negative cycle a little bit I’m having in the last three, four tournaments where I haven’t really been close to my best.”
Paul advanced to the last 16 with a 6-4 6-4 victory over France’s Ugo Humbert, while seventh seed Holger Rune, ninth seed Casper Ruud, Taylor Fritz, and Grigor Dimitrov all progressed in straight sets. Dimitrov is set to face fourth seed Daniil Medvedev, who required three sets to defeat Sebastian Korda 6-4 5-7 6-3.
On the other hand, British number one Cameron Norrie was eliminated after a thrilling 6-7 (5) 7-6 (5) 6-3 loss to French veteran Gael Monfils.
Norrie held a set and 3-0 lead before succumbing to a remarkable comeback from the 37-year-old. Monfils rallied to force a tie-break in the second set, which featured an underarm serve point and concluded with Monfils clinching victory after a stunning 31-stroke rally.
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