Luca Nardi (ranked 123 in the world) claimed a career victory as the 20-year-old Italian knocked out Novak Djokovic of Indian Wells in the third round.

Novak Djokovic was eliminated from Indian Wells by Italian Luca Nardi

Luca bravely started the match against his childhood idol, with whom he admitted that he has posters hanging on the walls of his room. The only break in the first set was decisive as Nardi won the first set 6-4.

There was no panic in the Serbian camp, because, as you know, Nole lost the first set to other opponents, but in the end came out victorious.

According to this plan, the ATP leader showed signs of a comeback, he managed to break twice and although he lost his serve once, he won the set 6-3. Everything began to return to normal.

The deciding game was balanced in the first part, and after holding his serve at the end of a marathon game (1-1), Nole had nothing more to do in the sixth game: Luca was inspired by a return, he pressured his famous opponent, and the break came (4- 2).

Despite his best efforts to come back, Jokerul couldn’t make it right on his return (where he’s statistically the best ever) and Luca surprisingly won 6-3.

After the match, which lasted two hours and 21 minutes, the Italian produced the surprise of the year in tennis, defeating Novak Djokovic with a score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

Nole’s big problems arose primarily in the second serve, where the percentage of points won was only 42%. Joker found himself in a situation where he had to defend 11 break points (a lot by his standards, especially in a two out of three set match).

He repelled 8, and the remaining three turned into opponent breaks.

Nole had 17 game-winning shots compared to Nardi’s 34. The Italian put everything on the attack map, and this tactic eventually brought results.

Know:

• This is the first defeat in Nole’s career against a lucky loser, the Italian managed to reach the 1/8 finals of the Masters tournament (ATP 1000) for the first time.

What you should know about Novak Djokovic’s participation in Indian Wells

• The success with Aleksandar Vukic in the previous round was special for Nole: it was the 400th victory in his career at the Masters category tournaments (ATP 1000).

• Joker holds the record for consecutive wins at Indian Wells: 20 from 2014 to 2017.

• Novak has 5 titles in Indian Wells, a record he shares with Roger Federer. The Serb lifted the trophy in 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

• Novak leads the hierarchy of Masters titles won over time: 39 trophies. He is followed by Rafael Nadal (36) and Roger Federer (28 – retired from tennis).

The result of the match between Luca Nardi and Novak Djokovic: