Grand Slam record winner Novak Djokovic surprisingly failed in the third round of the Masters tournament in Indian Wells. The 36-year-old Serb lost to world number 123. Luca Nardi from Italy won in three sets 4:6, 6:3, 3:6 after 2:17 hours of play. The 20-year-old only made it into the main draw of the prestigious tennis tournament as a lucky loser.
“I don’t think anyone knew me before tonight,” Nardi said. “It’s a miracle. I’m a 20-year-old guy who’s ranked somewhere 100 in the world and who has now defeated Novak. Just crazy.” Nardi had previously described Djokovic as his idol and revealed that he had a poster of the Serb hanging in his room as a child. In the round of 16, Nardi will face American Tommy Paul.
Unlike Djokovic, world number four Daniil Medvedev is one round further. The Russian won his third round match against Sebastian Korda (USA) 6:4, 5:7, 6:3.
Gauff confidently
US Open winner Coco Gauff also showed no weakness in the women’s competition. The 19-year-old American defeated the Italian Lucia Bronzetti 6:2, 7:6 (7:5) and will face the Belgian Elise Mertens in the round of 16. Mertens had thrown four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka out of the tournament.
In the men’s doubles competition, the German duo Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz made it to the quarterfinals. Krawietz/Pütz won the match tiebreak against Marcelo Arevalo-Gonzales (El Salvador) and the Croatian Mate Pavic 5:7, 6:4, 10:5.
