Fortunate loser Van de Zandschulp stuns struggling Djokovic at Indian Wells | Tennis

Novak Djokovic’s tough begin to the season continued on the North American onerous courts as he crashed out of Indian Wells with an especially poor efficiency in his opening match, shedding 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 within the second spherical to the world No 85, Botic van de Zandschulp.

Regardless of producing arguably one of the best efficiency of the yr in his four-set victory over Carlos Alcaraz on the Australian Open, Djokovic has now misplaced three consecutive matches since that triumph. The thigh harm Djokovic suffered throughout his win over Alcaraz compelled him to retire from his semi-final in opposition to Alexander Zverev after which he fell within the first spherical of the Qatar Open final month to Matteo Berrettini.

As an more and more dejected Andy Murray seemed on from his participant field, Djokovic’s lack of match apply was clear all through a dire opening set, which included an prolonged interval the place he even struggled to win factors. The Dutchman consolidated his early lead by profitable 18 of 19 factors in the midst of the set. Whereas Van de Zandschulp served effectively and remained extraordinarily constant and targeted, Djokovic’s unforced errors piled up.

Djokovic initially responded effectively to the adversity and, as he started to search out his vary and composure, he rolled by the second set to ascertain a 5-1 lead. Nonetheless, at the same time as he compelled a last set, Djokovic’s focus and normal degree had been unconvincing. His first try and serve out the set ended with him conceding the service recreation.

Within the last set, it was Van de Zandschulp who made the primary transfer, touchdown ample returns and drawing errors from Djokovic together with his motion and consistency. The place Djokovic, a five-time Indian Wells champion, would often be capable of discover one other gear beneath stress and navigate a path to victory, this time he had completely nothing to present in opposition to an impressed opponent as he was shortly brushed apart.

Van de Zandschulp had fallen in straight units to the No 217, Matteo Gigante, within the last qualifying spherical earlier than coming into the primary draw as a fortunate loser. Djokovic is the primary prime 10 participant to lose to a fortunate loser in consecutive years at an ATP Masters occasion after he was defeated by Luca Nardi final yr. Van de Zandschulp can also be the third fortunate loser to beat Djokovic in his profession.

Earlier on Saturday, Jack Draper opened his Indian Wells event with a stellar efficiency in opposition to João Fonseca, neutralising the Brazilian’s superior shotmaking to succeed in the third spherical with an assured 6-4, 6-0 win.

Draper, the thirteenth seed, entered the court docket conscious that he had been dealt one of many hardest attracts among the many seeded gamers. At simply 18 years outdated, Fonseca has been a breakout star this yr and after a gritty three-set win over Britain’s Jacob Fearnley, he entered the second spherical dialled in as Draper tried to search out his ft after receiving a first-round bye.

Fonseca has already established himself as one of the vital harmful shotmakers within the recreation however Draper successfully neutralised the Brazilian within the opening set together with his defence, drawing out unforced errors from Fonseca together with his retrieval abilities whereas additionally flipping numerous factors from defence to assault.

With the opening set secured, Draper relaxed and produced one in every of his greatest units of the yr to this point to shut out a superb win.

The British participant has loved an uncommon begin to the season as he tries to consolidate his place on the prime of the game after his breakthrough season final yr.

Indian Wells marks simply his third event of the season attributable to his hip harm. With so little rhythm, the 23-year-old has not at all times been capable of summon his greatest offensive tennis, however he has fought brilliantly and proven his toughness by regularly discovering methods to win. His victory in opposition to Fonseca advised that he’s starting to regain his rhythm.

“I really feel actually good,” he stated. “I had a number of issues on the again finish of final yr and early on this yr. It was a tricky one as a result of after I did play final yr, I gained consistency. I misplaced a number of first and second rounds, so I used to be capable of prepare and go once more. Whereas initially of this yr, I performed quite a lot of marathon matches this yr after which in Doha, I performed one other 5 matches on the highest degree. I’m getting there nevertheless it has been essential simply to get it proper initially of the season.”

Draper will subsequent face the American Jenson Brooksby, who pulled off a formidable 6-4, 6-2 win over Felix Auger Aliassime, the Canadian seventeenth seed.

In the meantime, Carlos Alcaraz started his title defence with a commanding efficiency, easing previous Quentin Halys 6-4, 6-2 to succeed in the third spherical.

Elsewhere, Sonay Kartal, the British No 3, made probably the most of her success in California as she produced one of the best efficiency of her profession to succeed in the third spherical as a fortunate loser with a dominant 6-2, 6-1 win over the sixteenth seed, Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil.

On Monday, it appeared that Kartal had simply fallen in need of the primary draw after shedding a decent three-set match to the world No 259, the American. Clervie Ngounoue. As a substitute, Kartal was ultimately moved into the primary draw as a fortunate loser after Sloane Stephens’s harm withdrawal. She has performed with complete freedom ever since.

Kartal’s victory over Haddad Maia marks the primary prime 30 win of her profession. Already as much as a brand new profession excessive rating round No 70 this week from her present rating of No 83, Kartal will face Polina Kudermetova of Russia for a spot within the fourth spherical.