Lucky loser Luca Nardi shocks Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells

• World number one Novak Djokovic has been stunned in round three at Indian Wells by lucky loser Luca Nardi
• Elsewhere, Daniil Medvedev avenged back-to-back losses against Sebastian Korda by knocking him out of Indian Wells

World number one Novak Djokovic has been stunned in round three at Indian Wells by lucky loser Luca Nardi. The Italian, who beat Djokovic 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, dropped his racket and held his face in disbelief before greeting Djokovic at the net following his victory.

Nardi is ranked number 123 in the world and had been knocked out in qualifying but got into the field as a “lucky loser,” which is a player who reached the main draw as a replacement for an injured player who withdrew from the tournament before the first round.

World number 123 Luca Nardi is the lowest-ranked player to beat Novak Djokovic at Masters 1000 or Grand Slam. Photo/ beIN SPORTS.

Nardi frustrated Djokovic all night in California and hit 34 winners on course to securing a memorable victory against the 24-time Grand Slam champion. He is the lowest-ranked player to ever beat Djokovic at ATP Masters 1000 or Grand Slam, surpassing Kevin Anderson who was ranked world number 122 when he beat the Serb in 2008 in Miami.

Speaking after his victory at Indian Wells, Luca Nardi said: “Before this night, no one knew me. I hope now the crowd enjoyed the game. I’m super happy with this one.”

Novak Djokovic is Nardi’s boyhood hero and the Italian had the Serb’s poster hung above his bed from the age of eight. However, he wasn’t awed by his idol’s game on Monday and started well in California, setting the tone with his hard-hitting style of play.

Nardi continued to play aggressively in the decider and despite missing three chances to break in the second game, he eventually opened up a 4-2 lead. The Serb couldn’t find his way back into the match and Nardi progressed to the round of 16.

Novak Djokovic has so far suffered three defeats this season; he first lost to Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semi-finals, Alex de Minaur at the United Cup and now Luca Nardi at Indian Wells. The 36-year-old, who is yet to win a tournament this year, said that he performed poorly against Nardi.

“He got in as a lucky loser, 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.” Djokovic is quoted by Sky Sports.

Whereas Luca Nardi is getting ready to face Tommy Paul in the next round at Indian Wells, Djokovic will next play at ATP 1000 Miami Open.

Medvedev Beats Korda To Reach Round of 16

Elsewhere, Daniil Medvedev avenged back-to-back losses against Sebastian Korda by knocking him out of Indian Wells. The number four seed overcame a second set wobble to defeat Korda 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 on Monday at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Medvedev had defeated Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena (6-2, 6-3) before facing Korda. He created 22 break points, which is a personal high in a best-of-three match and converted nine of them on course to defeating Korda in home soil. The two were tied in the first games of the decider before Medvedev broke the pattern to hold for 5-3 and eventually clinch the set.

Daniil Medvedev reached Indian Wells last 16 after defeating home favourite Sebastian Korda 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 on Monday night. Photo/ Tennis Majors.

Medvedev, who will play Grigor Dimitrov in the last 16, will be hoping to win this year’s Indian Wells to complete the box set of trophies across all six hard-court ATP Masters 1000s. He has previously triumphed in Shanghai 2019, Cincinnati 2019, Paris 2020, Canada 2021 and Miami 2023.

The Russian player could also find himself ranked world number two if he triumphs and both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner exit the Indian Wells before reaching the semi-finals.

Medvedev will face 13th seed Grigor Dimitrov in the round of 16. Dimitrov progressed after securing a 6-3, 6-3 win over Adrian Mannarino on Monday.