Indian Wells | Novak Djokovic eliminated in the third round

(Indian Wells) World No.1 Novak Djokovic was eliminated on 3^e round of the Masters 1000 of Indian Wells (California, United States) Monday by the 123^e ranked player, Italian Luca Nardi, winner 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

Nardi (20) created a huge surprise by eliminating the 36-year-old Serbian, who was playing in the Indian Wells tournament for the first time since 2019.

“I dreamed about it yesterday,” Nardi said into the stadium microphone. The Italian was beaten in qualifying by Belgian David Goffin before being drafted directly into 2^e tour (“lucky loser”) to replace the Argentinian Tomas Martin Etcheverry, package.

He then beat the Chinese Zhang Zhizhen on Saturday to reach 3^e round.

Nardi, who explained at the start of the competition that he had a poster of Djokovic in his room, played without complexes against the emperor of tennis with 24 Grand Slam titles.

Djokovic was annoyed by several incidents of play during the match, which he ended with many unforced errors.

Nardi has a meeting with the American Tommy Paul in 8^are final on Wednesday.

Coco Gauff has the upper hand over Lucia Bronzetti

American Coco Gauff gave herself an early birthday present by defeating Italian Lucia Bronzetti 6-2, 7-6 (5) on Monday in the third round of the Indian Wells tennis tournament.

Gauff (third), who will celebrate her 20th birthday on Wednesday, struggled early in the match, but found a way to hang on to her serve, erasing 10 of the 11 break points she faced.

This victory extended Gauff’s streak to 18 victories on American soil. His US Open title last season is at the heart of this series.

Bronzetti (53^e) put herself in a good position to force an extra set by taking a 5-4 lead in the tiebreaker, but Gauff won the next three rallies.

These days, Gauff finds ways to win even if not all of his shots are on point.

“Mentality is why I play and why I’m successful,” said Gauff, who was scheduled to play a women’s doubles match later in the evening. I’m not always at my best, but mentally, when I show that I’m not going to give up every match, it gives the opponent something to think about. »

Gauff will face the Belgian Elise Mertens (28^e) in the round of 16. Mertens defeated Naomi Osaka (287^e) 7-5 and 6-4. The Japanese was taking part in a fifth tournament since returning from maternity leave.

“Elise, she’s always difficult to face,” Gauff said. It’s never an easy match against her. It doesn’t give much to exploit. For me, I’m just going to have to be aggressive. Also, I will have to trust my shots and trust myself. »

Double Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka (second) defeated Briton Emma Raducanu (250^e) 6-3 and 7-5.

Sabalenka, who is known for smashing her rackets in moments of adversity, managed to remain calm in this duel.

“It’s a new approach in difficult situations,” she said during the television report. Don’t focus on the negative, and try to stay positive. »

Among the men, the Dane Holger Rune (seventh) played his first match and beat the Italian Lorenzo Musetti (26^e) 6-2 and 7-6 (5). Rune earned a bye in the first round and took advantage of Canadian Milos Raonic’s withdrawal due to injury to advance to the third round without playing.

“I really wanted to play,” Rune said.

Frenchman Gaël Monfils (54^e) worked hard to have the upper hand 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5) and 6-3 against the British Cameron Norrie (28^e), who won the tournament in 2021.

Americans Taylor Fritz (12^e) and Tommy Paul (17^e) both won in two sets.