(Reuters) – Novak Djokovic, the world’s number one, struck out in the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters following a 6-4 7-5 loss by Dan Evans of Britain yesterday.
The 30-year-old Evans emerged victorious at the pair’s first meeting to end Serb’s perfect 10-0 start in 2021.
Djokovic struggled to find any kind of rhythm on a windy day at the ATP Masters 1000 event and committed 45 unforced errors during both sets, more than Evans’ double.
“It’s not sunk in yet,” Evans said in his courtside interview. “I couldn’t quite believe that the last ball had gone over the net. He almost didn’t.
“I was pleased, however, with how I was playing coming into the contest. I was feeling good. You can never be confident coming into such a big game like that against Novak. It’s obviously a big win and I’m delighted that I’ve succeeded. ”
Evans, the best British player at 33rd, got off to a fast start in the match on a colder day at the lovely Monte-Carlo Country Club on the French Riviera to go up 3-0 in the opening set but Djokovic rallied back and leveled ‘ r set at 4-4.
The 33-year-old player, however, suffered another service break on the next game before Evans, who expertly used his backhand hand to trouble Djokovic, caught himself to take the opener.
Djokovic started aggressively in the second set and opened up a 3-0 lead and had a set point on Evans’ serve at 5-4 but the British player kept his cool and converted his first game point with a winner to complete his biggest win. career.
“The biggest thing is, you have to believe that you can win. Of course, I doubted myself in the contest. It’s not easy to serve. You have all sorts of things (things) running through your head.
“I’m just happy with how it went and it will be one to be amazed at after the tournament, to tell the kids and grandmothers that you have beaten World No. 1. It’s a nice one. ”