Novak Djokovic’s Surprise Slip‑up at the BNP Paribas Open
What happened? The former world No. 1’s second‑round loss to 109th‑ranked Taro Daniel was one of the most talked‑about upsets of the week. Djokovic, still nursing a right‑elbow surgery, clocked a 7‑6(3) 4‑6 6‑1 defeat, a quick exit from a tournament he’s claimed five times.
Post‑Op Struggles Map Out Djokovic’s Day
- Djokovic admitted it felt like his first match on tour, “very weird.”
- He lost his rhythm, “struggled a bit with the health the last couple of weeks.”
- After a six‑month hiatus post‑Summer, he returned in January, losing in the 4th round of the Australian Open before undergoing surgery in Switzerland.
- He’s still “grateful to be on court” but “didn’t feel good at all.” Unforced errors ran high.
Jim Courier’s Take
Former Grand Slam champ Jim Courier called Djokovic’s performance a capitulation. “If we’d looked at post‑surgery recovery, his elbow, nose, the strain – it was the heart and head that didn’t respond right,” Courier said on Tennis Channel, leaving the public to add more question marks to Djokovic’s exit.
Roger Federer Keeps It Calm
While Djokovic faltered, Federer survived a rain‑haunted double showdown with Argentine left‑handed Federico Delbonis. After a 2‑2 second‑set tie that paused overnight, Federer locked down a 6‑3, 7‑6(6) win, clinging to a set point in the tiebreak.
- Federer remarked: “It’s been a long time since I’ve been interrupted at night and had to come back the next day.”
- He noted: “In the nighttime, the ball is much more deader. The surface doesn’t react so much.”
Other Notable Matches
- Gael Monfils bounced back from a match point to defeat big‑serving John Isner 6‑7(5), 7‑6(3), 7‑5 – a fight that had only one break.
- Yuki Bhambri pulled a surprise, toppling ninth‑seeded Lucas Pouille 6‑4, 6‑4.
- Dudi Sela buried British 21st seed James Edmund 6‑4, 6‑4.
- Pierre‑Hugues Herbert upended Luxembourg’s 24th seed Giles Müller 6‑3, 7‑5.
- Marin Cilic secured a win over Hungarian Marton Fucsovics 7‑5, 6‑3.
- Milos Raonic triumphed against 17‑year‑old Canadian Felix Auger‑Aliassime 6‑4, 6‑4.
Comments from the Winners
Cilic said, “I was attacking when I had my chances and controlling most of the points – I didn’t serve too good today but overall I’m pleased.”
Key Takeaway
The tournament was not without its dramas – Kei Nishikori withdrew due to illness, and Djokovic’s early exit underlined the fragility of recovery. All eyes will now be on the later stages for a possible rematch of fortunes.
