Published on 09:38 AM, March 12, 2024

Djokovic out of Indian Wells in Nardi upset

PHOTO: REUTERS

Top seed Novak Djokovic was sent crashing out of the ATP-WTA Indian Wells Masters on Monday, losing in three sets to lowly-ranked Italian Luca Nardi.

Nardi, ranked 123rd in the world, played superbly to win 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 as Djokovic's return to Indian Wells ended in a stunning third round exit.

Nardi became only the sixth player ranked outside the Top 100 to defeat a world number one at the Masters level since 1990.

Djokovic has now lost five of his last seven matches played against Italians - including three featuring fourth-ranked Jannik Sinner.