Novak Djokovic’s difficult start to the North American Hard Court as he crashed out of Indian wells with a bad performance in his opening match, lost 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 in the second round of the world No 85, Botic Van de Zandschulp.
Despite doing the best performance of the year with his four set success against Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open, Djokovic has now lost three consecutive matches since that success. The thigh injury Djokovic suffered during his win over Alcaraz forced him to retire from his semi-final against Alexander Zverev and then he fell in the first Qatar Open rotation last month with Matteo Berrettini.
As Andy Murray’s further removal from his player box, Djokovic’s lack of skill match was clear throughout a scary set opening, which included an extended period of time in which he struggled to win points. The Dutchman combined its early leadership by the victory of 18 by 19 points in the middle of the set. While the Van de Zandschulp served well and remained quite uniform and focused, Djokovic’s unexpected mistakes.
Djokovic first responded to poverty and, as he began to find his scope and precautions, he rolled into the second set to establish a 5-1 lead. However, even though he forced a final set, Djokovic’s focus and overall level were not in agreement. His first attempt to deliver the set ended with him in agreement with the service game.
In the final set, it was Van de Zandschulp who made the first move, interprets enough return and drawing errors from Djokovic to his movement and consistency. Where Djokovic, a five-time champion of Indian Wells, usually finds another gear under pressure and navigates a path to success, this time he will not give up against an inspired opponent as he is fast-paced.
Van de Zandschulp fell into straight sets on No 217, Matteo Gigante, in the final qualified rotation before entering the main draw as a lucky loser. Djokovic was the first top 10 players to disappear in a lucky loser in a series of years at an ATP Masters event after Luca Nardi defeated him last year. Van de Zandschulp is also the third lucky loser to defeat Djokovic in his career.
Earlier on Saturday, Jack Draper opened his contest with Indian Wells with a stellar-performance against João Fonseca, who neutralized Brazil’s wonderful shooting to reach a third cycle with a 6-4, 6-0 wins.
Draper, the 13th seed, entered the court knowing that he had been to one of the most difficult drawings in seedlings players. In just 18 years old, Fonseca became a breakout star this year and after a rough three-set win against Britain’s Jacob Fearnley, he entered a second round dialed as Draper tried to find his feet after receiving a first-round bye.
Fonseca has already established himself as one of the most destructive shotmakers in the game but Draper effectively neutralizes Brazilian in opening the set with his defense, drawing unexpected mistakes from Fonseca with his acquisition skills while also flipping countless points from defense to attack.
With the opening of the set -secured set, Draper relaxed and made one of his best sets of year until now to close a great win.
The British player is satisfied with an unusual start during the season as he tries to combine his position at the top of the sport after his success last year.
Indian Wells only marked his third contest during his hip injury. In a very small rhythm, the 23-year-old was not always able to summon his best offensive tennis, but he fought well and showed his stubbornness by continuing to find ways to win. His victory over Fonseca suggested that he be beginning to recover his rhythm.
After the Newsletter Promotion
“I feel good,” he said. “I have some problems behind the last year and early this year. It was a tough because when I played last year, I got the same. I lost some first and second round, so I was able to train and go back. Because at the beginning of this year, I played many marathon matches this year and then in Doha, I played another five match at the top level. Time. “
Draper will next face American Jenson Brooksby, who pulled out a wonderful 6-4, 6-2 win over Felix Auger Aliassime, Canada’s 17th seed.
Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz began his title defense in a commanding
Anywhere, Sonay Kartal, British No 3, was the most of his good fortune in California as he did the best performance of his career to reach the third round as a lucky loser with a dominant 6-2, 6-1 win over the 16th seed, Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil.
On Monday, it appeared that the cartal had just fallen into the main draw after disappearing a tight three-set match in the world No 259, the American. Clervie ngunoue. Instead, Kartal was later transferred to the main draw as a lucky loser after the elimination of Sloane Stephens’ injury. He has played total freedom ever since.
Kartal’s success with Haddad Maia marked the first 30 wins of his career. In a new ranks highly ranked around No. 70 this week from his current No 83 ranking, Kartal will face Russia’s Polina Kudermetova for a place in the fourth round.
