Novak will not be playing in the 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters quarterfinals after he lost to ATP no.21 Lorenzo Musetti in the third round.
Lorenzo Musetti earned the greatest career victory on Thursday at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, when he upset world no.1 and top seed Novak Djokovic 4-6, 7-5, 6-4, to reach the ATP Masters 1000 event last eight.
It was very difficult for both players to compete in wet and windy conditions on Court Rainier III. Novak was broken eight times during the two-hour, 52-minute clash.
The two-time former champion Djokovic took the opening set that featured five breaks of serve, three of which were made by the Serbian ace.
In the second set, the two had traded breaks four times before the Italian grabbed the crucial break in the 11th game and served it out to level the contest.
There was a 59-minute rain delay at the start of the deciding third set. Once play resumed, Djokovic struggled to find his rhythm. A break in the seventh game was enough for his rival to progress into his second Masters 1000 quarters.
Match statistics: aces (1-6), double faults (6-0), winners (26-26), unforced errors (46-32), total points won (96-101).
Novak was chasing a record-extending 39th ATP Masters 1000 title and his third trophy in Monte-Carlo, having triumphed in 2013 and 2015.
The ATP 250 clay-court event in Banja Luka – the Srpska Open – is the next stop for Djokovic. It will be held from April 17 to April 23.
Photo: Profimedia
