Djokovic falls on a lucky loser in Indian Wells

Novak Djokovic was overwhelmed by Botic Van de Zandschulp 6-2 3-6 6-1 in the second round of Indian wells on Saturday, as the Serbian suffered a premature exit to a Lucky Loser tournament for the second consecutive year.

Djokovic fell on the lucky luke -luca Nardi in Italy in the California desert last year and the story was repeated on his stadium the day after the exit of the top seed Alexander Zverev.

Twenty -four -year -old Grand Slam champion came down to a terrible start, hitting 14 non -obligated mistakes and was broken twice in the opening set.

He replaced to compete in a 3-0 lead in the second, leverages the competition with a strong forehand winner and drawing his fist in front of the crowd full of crowd.

But the giant assassin Van de Zandschulp left with the decision, breaking Djokovic for the fourth time with a perfectly executed lobe for a 3-1 lead and sealing the stunning upset when Djokovic’s shot went widely at the point of the race.

“I started very well and then of course Novak returned,” said Van de Zandschulp, who secured a place in the tournament during the 47th Facundo Diaz Acosta rankings.

“At the end I was happy to get my level back.”

Van de Zandschulp was a set and 3-0 to Nick Kyrgios in his first round in Stadium one on Thursday before the Australian retired with wrist pain.

Djokovic, 37, retired from the Australian Open semifinal against Alexander Zverev with an injury and lost in the first round of Qatar in the first month.

He said that the foot injury was behind him coming to the tournament and did not seem to be hindered in his fight on Saturday, where he was accompanied by coach Andy Murray.

“There are no excuses for poor performance,” Djokovic said.

“He doesn’t feel great when you play this way on the court, but congratulations to my opponent.

“Just a bad day in the office.”

The loss of Djokovic led a day of overthrow that included the seventh Andrey Rublev seed that lost 6-4 7-5 to Matteo Arnaldi, Italy and the 17th Felix Auger Aliassime seed falling on American Jenson Brooksby 6-4 6-2. The world number one Jannik Sinner does not play in the tournament as he serves a doping suspension.

Keys and Cruise Alcaraz

Earlier, Australian champion Madison Keys crushes Anastasia Potapova 6-3 6-0 in its first match as a Grand Slam champion, while Carlos Alcaraz began his offer for a three-voltage three-voltage well with a 6-4 6-2 victory over Quentin Halys.

Alcaraz tries to join Tennis Greats Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer as the only players who have three consecutive moments in “Tennis Paradise”.

“I couldn’t wait to start the tournament to come here again,” the Spaniard said after his French opponent’s mission.

“Outside my country, this is my favorite tournament by far. It’s a privilege.”

Alcaraz will play Canadian Denis Shapovalov in the third round.

Twelve months ago, a flock of bees at One Court sting alcaraz and was suspended for almost two hours during its square final.

Killer Bee Live Removal’s Lance Davis played the hero that day, removing the bees from a moving camera over the stadium without hurting them, and Alcaraz and Davis met on the net before Saturday’s match, where they shaken hands and shared a laugh.

While Alcaraz is already a quadruple big champion at the age of 21, the keys had to wait a few weeks shy from her 30th birthday before finally participating in this exclusive Melbourne club and this success seems to have activated it.

The keys broke the Russian Potapova for the third time to secure the first set and ran through the one -sided second set to extend its victory to 13 matches.

“I’m so happy to be here,” Keys said in an interview with the Center Court.

“Australia was obviously an amazing moment, so it’s very nice to play at home for my first tournament back in a place I have played in so many times in front of some amazing people.”

Then for the World Number Five Keys is a third round meeting either with a 28th Elise Mertens seed or Australia’s Kimberly Birrell, playing later on Saturday.

Sabalenka dominates

The top seed Aryna Sabalenka was tested, but eventually prevailed over young American McCartney Kessler 6-7 (4) 6-3 under the lights.

Belarus was in full command of terrible service and never faced a break while crushing six aces and won 90% of the first service points.