Novak Djokovic’s run at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells was short-lived. On Monday evening, the tournament’s No. 1 seed was bounced in the third round by 20-year-old Italian Luca Nardi.
Nardi pulled off the stunning upset, taking down Djokovic, the world No. 1, 6–4, 3–6, 6–3. He becomes the lowest-ranked player to ever take down the 36-year-old at a Masters 1000 or Grand Slam event throughout his distinguished career. Nardi is the world’s No. 123 ranked player in the PIF ATP rankings.
The victory against Djokovic, who is Nardi’s idol, is the most significant win of his career and only his second victory against a top-50 opponent, with his first coming in the previous round of the tournament against Zhang Zhizhen.
