Novak Djokovic’s quest for his 100th career title suffered a significant setback on Wednesday, as he was unexpectedly defeated in the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters. The loss came at the hands of Alejandro Tabilo, a familiar foe who also upset Djokovic at last year’s Italian Open. Tabilo secured a convincing 6-3, 6-4 victory, showcasing impressive serve and a solid game plan. He even managed to hold off a late Djokovic comeback attempt, sealing the win on his second match point.
This marks a surprising turn of events, especially considering Djokovic’s pursuit of a historic milestone. He had hoped to become the only player ever to win each Masters event at least three times. However, his performance was far from his best, riddled with 29 unforced errors. Djokovic himself acknowledged his subpar performance, expressing disappointment and apologizing to his fans for the display.
Tabilo’s victory is particularly noteworthy because he now holds a perfect 2-0 record against Djokovic, joining a select group of players with the same unbeaten streak against the tennis legend. This unexpected result casts a shadow over Djokovic’s clay-court season, and raises questions about his form heading into the French Open.
Elsewhere in Monte Carlo, the tournament saw other notable results. Defending French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz overcame a shaky start against Francisco Cerundolo, eventually winning in three sets. The match highlights Alcaraz’s resilience and his determination to fine-tune his game before Roland Garros. Other upsets included the eliminations of veterans Richard Gasquet and Gael Monfils, both falling to younger opponents. Casper Ruud, however, continued his strong performance, easily defeating Roberto Bautista Agut.
The Monte Carlo Masters, the first major clay-court event of the year, continues to provide thrilling matches and unexpected outcomes. As the tournament progresses, the tennis world will be watching closely to see how the remaining players fare on the challenging clay surface.
