INDIAN WELLS – It is not often that you get a chance to compete against your childhood idol and even beat him. For Luca Nardi, it was a “crazy miracle” that he defeated Novak Djokovic on March 11.
The 20-year-old qualifying lucky loser scored the biggest win of his young career, stunning the veteran world No. 1 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 at the ATP-WTA Indian Wells Masters to reach the last 16.
Nardi, who grew up idolising Djokovic and is ranked 123rd in the world, played the match of his life to defeat the Serb, dropping his racket and putting his hands over his face after firing an ace out wide to seal the win.
His victory ended Djokovic’s 11-match win streak at Masters events and also the 36-year-old’s bid for a record sixth title at the tournament in the California desert.
Nardi, who has a poster of Djokovic hung above his bed from the age of eight, was not awed by the big game of his heralded opponent, and broke for a 4-2 lead in the deciding set before pounding out the win in style.
The Italian finished with 34 winners and 19 unforced errors, while Djokovic had 17 winners and nine unforced errors.
“Before this night no one knew me. I hope the crowd enjoyed the game because I’m super happy with this one,” Nardi said in an on-court interview after his victory.
Asked how he had pulled off such a big win, he replied: “I don’t know. I think it really is a miracle. I’m a guy ranked outside the top 100 in the world and now I’m beating Novak – crazy, crazy.”
Nardi only reached the main draw in Indian Wells after a withdrawal. He had been beaten by Belgium’s David Goffin in the final round of qualifying. He will next face American Tommy Paul.
Each of Djokovic’s last two losses have come against young Italians – he lost to eventual champion Jannik Sinner, 22, in the Australian Open semi-finals in January.
“For sure, I’m watching Jannik winning all the matches,” Nardi added.
“For sure, it’s something that pushed me to be better. I didn’t expect to win today, but I always try to do my best in practice, and this happened and I’m really happy.”
Djokovic vowed to play the upcoming Miami Open after blaming a “really bad day” for his shock exit.
“Miami is there, so let’s see,” he said of the next Masters tournament.
“I wasn’t enjoying not playing the Sunshine Double (Indian Wells and Miami) last couple of years. I really wanted to play. I really wanted to come (this year) and I really enjoy being both in Indian Wells and Miami.”
On his defeat, he added: “He really didn’t have anything to lose, so he played great. Deserved to win.
“I was more surprised with my level. My level was really, really bad. These two things come together. He’s having a great day, I’m having a really bad day.”
In other match, seventh seed Holger Rune finally made it onto court after a first-round bye and a walkover in the second round against the injured Milos Raonic.
The 20-year-old Dane got off and running in the event with a 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) defeat of Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti and he will next face American Taylor Fritz.
“It feels great to finally get started. The wait is finally over, I was so eager to play, though I did get two extra practice days,” he said after reaching the round of 16 here for the first time.
Fritz defeated Argentinian Sebastian Baez 6-2, 6-2.
Norway’s ninth seed Casper Ruud advanced past Arthur Fils of France 6-2, 6-4.
French showstopper Gael Monfils and 2021 champion Cameron Norrie played a massive 31 break points, before the 37-year-old ended the Briton’s run with a 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 victory.
Paul earned a home win with his 6-4, 6-4 defeat of France’s Ugo Humbert and should prove to be a handful for Nardi. AFP, REUTERS
