Djokovic stunned by lucky loser Nardi, Sabalenka overpowers Raducanu

Twenty-four-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic fell to 20-year-old lucky loser Luca Nardi 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in the third round of Indian Wells on Monday, which ended the Serb's pursuit of a record sixth title at the tournament in the California desert.

Nardi, who is ranked 123rd in the world, lost to Belgium's David Goffin in qualifiers and only entered the main draw after Argentina's Tomas Etcheverry withdrew due to injury. He will next meet local Tommy Paul, who downed France's Ugo Humbert. 

"This is a miracle," said the Italian, after he dropped his racket and put his hands over his face after firing an ace out wide to seal the win. "I'm a 20-year-old guy, 100 in the world and I beat Novak. Crazy. Just crazy."

Nardi came out flying under the lights on center court, drawing Djokovic to the net with a short ball and then rifling a forehand past him for an early break and a 3-2 lead. Djokovic was well short of his best and a service return from the top seed found the net to hand Nardi the first set. Djokovic broke Nardi twice in the second set and held at love to level the contest but his opponent, who idolized Djokovic growing up, refused to back down, as he hit a backhand that Djokovic could not put back in play for a crucial break and a 4-2 advantage in the decider before pulling off the upset.

Earlier on Monday, France's Gael Monfils produced a stunning display of shot-making and showmanship to rally from a set and 3-0 down to beat former champion Cameron Norrie of the UK 6-7(5), 7-6(5), 6-3 to set up his last-16 clash with ninth seed Casper Ruud of Norway. Norrie, who won the tournament in 2021, piled up 60 unforced errors and could not solve the unpredictable Monfils puzzle in the three hour and 15 minute affair.

On the women's side, Aryna Sabalenka's powerful serve and groundstrokes proved too much for Emma Raducanu as the Australian Open champion reached the fourth round with a 6-3, 7-5 victory while Naomi Osaka fell to Elise Mertens in straight sets.

Britain's U.S. Open champion Raducanu is trying to find her form after multiple surgeries last year and played well but was unable to seize her opportunities, converting just one of 10 break points in her first meeting with the Belarusian.

Sabalenka, bedeviled by double faults in the past, issued one on her first match point but kept her composure and blasted a cross-court forehand winner on her fourth opportunity to seal the win.

Meanwhile, Mertens held her nerve to send Osaka packing with a gutsy 7-5, 6-4 victory over the Japanese Grand Slam winner to set up her next match with local favorite Coco Gauff who dispatched Italian Lucia Bronzetti 6-2, 7-6(5).

The Belgian, seeded 24th, had to fend of break points in the final game but ultimately prevailed, jumping in the air after claiming one of the biggest wins of her career and reaching the round of 16 at the tournament for the first time.

(With input from Reuters)