Djokovic Eliminated By Lucky Loser At Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS (United States), March 9 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- Novak Djokovic was eliminated from the ATP 1000 Indian Wells Masters on Saturday, suffering a shock 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 loss to Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round, Xinhua reported.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion won just 63 per cent of points on his first serve while his 85th-ranked rival converted five of eight break points to prevail in just over two hours.

It is the second time in as many years that Djokovic has been defeated by a lucky loser in the Californian desert. Last year, the 37-year-old Serb fell in the third round to Italian qualifier Luca Nardi.

"I started really well, and then of course Novak came back," said Van De Zandschulp, who secured a berth in the tournament after the withdrawal of Argentine Facundo Diaz Acosta.

"In the end and in the third set I was happy to get my level back."

Djokovic hit 14 unforced errors and was broken twice in the first set but he recovered to take a 3-0 lead in the second, putting himself on level terms with a trademark forehand winner.

But Van De Zandschulp broke serve again in the decider and secured victory by inducing a Djokovic unforced error on match point.

In a day of upsets, seventh seed Andrey Rublev lost 6-4, 7-5 to Italy's Matteo Arnaldi and 17th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime lost to American Jenson Brooksby 6-4, 6-2.

--BERNAMA-XINHUA