Djokovic Shocked by Vesely in Monte Carlo
In what is probably the biggest upset of the 2016 season up to this point, Czech Jiri Vesely shocked world number one and defending champion Novak Djokovic 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 to reach the third round of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters.
It was only the second loss of the season for Djokovic, with the other coming via retirement against Feliciano Lopez at the Dubai Duty Free Championships.
Vesely won 20 of the 22 points on his serve in the opening set, and converted one of four break point chances to take the opener routinely. At 2-2 in the second set, however, Djokovic rattled off four straight games to take the second set and seemed to be on his way to a comeback.
The two would exchange breaks through the first two games of the deciding third set, but Vesely showed his toughness by breaking for a 4-2 lead. Djokovic would save a match point to trim the deficit to 4-5, but the Czech calmly served it out in the next game to notch the biggest win of his young career.
It was Djokovic’s first loss to a player outside of the top 50 since 2010. Vesely will look to follow up this win in a third-round contest against 13th seed Gael Monfils.
Djokovic wasn’t the only top 10 player to bow out of Monte Carlo on Wednesday. Sixth-seed Tomas Berdych was ousted as Damir Dzumhur beat the Czech 6-4, 6-7(1), 6-3.
Dzumhur will take on 10th-seeded Canadian Milos Raonic in the third-round.
Rafael Nadal, who won this tournament eight straight times from 2005-2012, made his way into the third-round with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Aljaz Bedene. The Spaniard will take on 12th seeded Austrian Dominic Thiem, a 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 victor over qualifier Taro Daniel.
Fourth-seed Stan Wawrinka, 11th seed David Goffin and Benoit Paire rounded out the rest of the early winners on Wednesday.
