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Djokovic’s Madrid Masters Journey Cut Short by Arnaldi

Novak Djokovic’s quest for a fourth title at the Madrid Masters has ended prematurely following a 6-3, 6-4 defeat against Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi in the second round.

This marked a significant victory for the 24-year-old Arnaldi, who achieved just his second career win against a player ranked in the top five. It was also the first time he has faced the Serbian fourth seed.

Reflecting on the match, Arnaldi expressed his admiration for Djokovic, stating, “He’s my idol, he’s always been, so I was just glad that I could play him. To compete against him on such a grand stage felt like a victory in itself.” He acknowledged Djokovic’s current form, adding, “But he’s not at his best right now, so I came onto the court determined to play my best tennis, and I achieved that. Right now, I’m at a loss for words.”

For the three-time champion Djokovic, who is 37, the match was marked by an uncharacteristic 32 unforced errors. His opponent, Arnaldi, delighted the crowd with a variety of impressive shots, showcasing his talent and composure under pressure.

This defeat signifies Djokovic’s third consecutive loss as he aims for his 100th career title. Earlier this month, he lost in his opening match at the Monte Carlo Masters following a setback in the Miami Masters final back in March.

Alongside Arnaldi, British players Cameron Norrie and Jacob Fearnley also advanced to the next round. Norrie, returning from illness, faced an uphill battle against Czech player Jiri Lehecka, ultimately winning the match with a scoreline of 2-6, 6-4, 6-0.

Fearnley, ranked second in Britain, similarly found himself struggling at first but managed to bounce back, defeating the higher-ranked Czech player Tomas Machac with a comeback victory of 1-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Source
www.bbc.com