NEW DELHI: Novak Djokovic's early exit from the Rome Open's third round on Sunday came as a shock, as he faced a stunning 6-2, 6-3 defeat at the hands of Alejandro Tabilo. This loss, against a player ranked 32nd in the world, marked Djokovic's bid for a record-extending 41st Masters 1000 title.
Tabilo's victory was particularly noteworthy as it marked his first win over a top-10 opponent. Djokovic's subdued performance raised questions, especially since he had recently endured an accidental blow to the head by a bottle, just two days prior, following his second-round win over Corentin Moutet.
