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IMAGE: Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina with Serbia’s Novak Djokovic. {Photograph}: Denis Balibouse/Reuters
World primary Novak Djokovic crashed to a three-set defeat in solely his fourth match of the season, falling 6-3 6-7(5) 6-1 to unseeded Alejandro Davidovich Fokina within the second spherical of the Monte Carlo Masters on Tuesday.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion endured a tricky begin to the yr as he was unable to defend his Australian Open title in January after being deported from the nation for being unvaccinated in opposition to COVID-19.
Djokovic, who solely performed three matches in Dubai forward of the Masters 1000 occasion in Monaco, struggled to seek out his vary early within the contest as Spaniard Davidovich Fokina raced to a 4-1 lead earlier than taking the opening set on Courtroom Rainier III.
The world quantity 46 grabbed an early break within the second set to go up 3-0 however Djokovic battled again earlier than overcoming points with a wobbly serve to stage the competition following a good tiebreak.
Fokina then raised his sport within the decider, preying on errors made by a tiring Djokovic and accomplished the victory because the Serb discovered the online.
“This win is so particular to me as a result of I grew up watching Nole (Djokovic) and I am a giant fan of his,” Davidovich Fokina mentioned in his post-match interview.
“I knew Nole did not have the arrogance as a result of he did not play loads this season… I had my probabilities at first of the match and I took them.”
“When he received the second set it was powerful mentally, however I work laborious to be centered. I needed to be ready for the struggle.”
Stefanos Tsitsipas will start the defence of his title on the occasion with a second-round conflict in opposition to 2019 champion Fabio Fognini whereas Grigor Dimitrov performs Dusan Lajovic for a spot within the spherical of 16.
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