Novak Djokovic was knocked out within the final 16 of the Monte Carlo Masters by Lorenzo Musetti in three units on after the world primary struggled badly on serve.
Djokovic, a two-time winner in 2013 and 2015, was damaged eight instances earlier than happening 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 on a moist and chilly day.
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“(The) feeling is terrible after playing like this, honestly. But congrats to him. He stayed tough in important moments, and that’s it,” stated Djokovic.
But it was a second within the second set that left the world primary seeing crimson.
With a 4-3 lead and searching set to cruise by to the subsequent spherical with a straight units victory, the Serbian was dudded by a brutal name from a line decide.
A forehand from Musetti appeared to go lengthy however was in the end referred to as during which infuriated the highest seeded Djokovic.
Djokovic introduced chair umpire Aurelie Tourte down onto the court docket to plead his case and present her the mark on the clay court docket the place the ball had landed out.
Tourte nevertheless noticed issues otherwise and indicated the ball had caught the road, that solely poured gas on the hearth.
An irate Djokovic couldn’t consider what was unfolding as followers within the stand misplaced their persistence with the star’s bickering.
Replays nevertheless confirmed the 22-time Grand Slam winner was appropriate and the ball had sailed properly past the baseline.
Tennis journalist Jose Morgado wrote: “Djokovic got screwed there. Italian fans aren’t enjoying the complains, though.”
Fans watching on had been firmly behind Djokovic and couldn’t consider the decision had gone in opposition to him.
One wrote: “Clay court tennis is a joke. No roof, no lights and no Hawkeye. Worst time of the year for tennis.”
Another added: “This was awful. Truly awful.”
One fan stated the second flipped the match and stole it from Djokovic: “Moment when the match was robbed.”
The Serb led by a set and a break in opposition to Musetti, however the Italian teen fought again in a scrappy second set after which prevailed within the decider after rain interrupted the match for an hour.
Musetti, ranked twenty first, advances to a quarter-final assembly with compatriot Jannik Sinner, who saved a match level earlier than beating Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz 3-6, 7-6, 6-1.
Djokovic, the large favorite within the absence of Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, surged 5-2 forward within the opening set. He dropped function he tried to shut it out earlier than breaking Musetti for a 3rd time.
The high seed once more seemed in management at 4-2 within the second however was damaged to like.
Musetti received the subsequent three video games, efficiently serving for the second set on the second try after blowing his likelihood whereas main 5-4.
A rain bathe early within the deciding set compelled play to be suspended, with Musetti touchdown the decisive break to go 5-3 up and ultimately sealing victory on his fourth match level.
Djokovic has not gone past the final eight in Monte Carlo since 2015.
“I don’t think it’s catastrophic, but my feeling is bad right now because I lost the match. That’s all,” stated Djokovic.
“It’s not a great day for me, so I’m not really in the mood to speak.”
– with AFP
Source: www.news.com.au
