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Novak Djokovic crashed out of the Monte Carlo Masters following a shock 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 defeat to Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in the last 16.
The world No 1 surrendered a one-set and 4-2 lead to lose a rain-interrupted match in Monaco. Djokovic struggled to find his best level in the windy conditions on Court Rainier III, the 22-time grand slam champion dropping serve eight times as his French Open preparations suffered a blow.
Wet weather forced the players off with the score at 1-1 in sets, and Djokovic leading 40-30 in the third game of the decider. When the players returned, the match stayed on serve until the seventh game, when 21-year-old Musetti secured what proved to be the decisive break. Djokovic, winner of the tournament in 2013 and 2015, saved three match points but his opponent would not be denied.
”I am struggling not to cry,” Musetti said in his on-court interview after victory was sealed in two hours and 54 minutes on court. “It is an emotional win because it was a really long match. It was not easy conditions because it was a little bit windy and cold – not like we used to play in the recent days.
“I am really proud of myself,” the world No 21 added. “I am struggling not to cry because it is a dream for me. Beating Novak is something remarkable for me.”
Musetti’s reward for a first career victory over the Serbian is a quarter-final showdown with his compatriot, Jannik Sinner, who fought back to beat Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz 3-6, 7-6 (6), 6-1 earlier on Thursday.
The reigning champion and second seed, Stefanos Tsitsipas, overcame Chile’s Nicolas Jarry 6-3 6-4 and took another step towards a third successive title in Monte Carlo. Tsitsipas will take on Taylor Fritz in the last eight following the American’s 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 comeback victory over the rising Czech talent Jiri Lehecka.
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Casper Ruud – the 2022 French Open and US Open finalist – suffered elimination at the hands of Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff, losing 6-1, 7-6 (6). Struff will next face Andrey Rublev, who beat fellow Russian Karen Khachanov 7-6 (4), 6-2.
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