Novak Djokovic was shocked by Botic van des Andschulp 6-2 3-6 6-1 in the second round of the Indian Wells as the Serbs suffered an early exit at the hands of lucky losers for the second year in a row.
Djokovic fell to Italian lucky loser Lucanardi in the California desert last year, and history repeated itself the day after the top seed Alexander Zverev I went out again.
After a withdrawal from Australia, a loss in the opening match at the Qatar Open and a stunning defeat to the Dutch, Djokovic is now on a three-match winning streak.
“You know, the past few years have clearly been different for me,” said Jjovokic, who hit only 16 winners with 37 unprotected errors. “I have struggled to play at the level I wanted.
“Sometimes I have some good tournaments, but most of it is a real challenge, and it is a struggle for me.
“What is it? In a way, I don’t think you can prepare for that moment. You have to go through it and try to deal with it in the best possible way.”
The Serbs appeared in the flat with lucky losers of the tournament. The lucky loser took full advantage of the blizzard of errors from the 24-time Grand Slam champions to capture the first set.
Djokovic leveled up and grabbed the second level, but Van des Andschulp, who lost Matteo Gigante 7-5 6-0 in the final round of qualifying, missed a boring collapse before a sold-out crowd and refused to retreat.
The Indian Wells court resurfaced this year to line them up more in line with the conditions of the Miami Open and the US Open, and Djokovic said he had a hard time reading the ball’s bounce.
“Obviously there’s no excuse for poor performance,” he added. “When you play on the court this way, it doesn’t feel great, but congratulations to my opponent, I think it’s just a bad day in the office.
“I regret my tennis level considering my recent practice methods.”
Discussing the courts, he said: “The difference between the Center Court and the other courts is immeasurable.
“To be honest, the ball is bouncing off the centre court higher than some of the best clay courts. That’s why I struggled a lot. I couldn’t find a rhythm.”
Djokovic said he needs to talk to rival-turned-coach Andy Murray before deciding on the next step. Before his first match, he said he will play Game 2 of “Sunshine Double” at the upcoming Miami Open.
“I haven’t spoken to Andy and the team yet, so I’m going to do that and make plans,” he said.
Top seed Sabalenka tested
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Alina Sabalenka’s highlights against McCartney Kessler of the Indian Wells
World No. 1 at WTA events Alina Sabalenka He kicked out the American McCartney Kessler 7-6 (7-4) 6-3.
The Belarusian was completely in charge of her horrifying serve, crushing six aces and not facing breakpoints while earning 90% of her first serve points.
She sealed the victory with a pair of skilled backhand volleys at match points and set up a meeting with unseeded Italian. Lucia Bronzetti In the third round on Monday.
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