MADRID – Novak Djokovic put his ears on to demand more applause from the crowd after the 24 major winner chased the obviously lost ball and scored an unlikely point.
Instead of sparking a comeback, it turned out to be Djokovic’s final gasp when he fell on a straight set to Matteo Arnald in the first match of the Madrid Open on Saturday.
Djokovic, 37, lost three times in a row. It includes losing the Miami Finals and his opener to Alejandro Tabilo at the Monte Carlo Masters two weeks ago, struggling with the start of the clay court swing before next month’s French opening.
Arnaldi scored 6-3, 6-4, delaying search for Jjokovic’s career 100th title. The Serbs 32 unforced errors weakened by their opponents 18, breaking his serve three times.
It was Djokovic’s first meeting with Italy’s 44th place Arnardo.
“He’s my idol, he’s always been,” Arnardo said of Djokovic. “Playing him at this stage was already a victory for me. He’s not at his best right now, so I came to court to try to play the best tennis and win.”
Arnardo raised his arm and turned to the crowd after assaulting the winner who gave him two sets of breaks. Djokovic immediately tried to hit and scored three breakpoints, but Arnardo came together to save the serve and finished three champions.
He wrote “OMG” (OH MY GOD) on the camera when given a marker for the current conventional message by the winner to the TV audience.
Djokovic is looking for the first title of the season after winning his 99th title at the Parisio Games last August. He has since lost four finals. The two players reaching the 100 title milestone are Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103).
Arnardo then faces Damir Demur after collecting Sebastian Baez 1-6, 6-1, 6-2 in the past.
Other men’s outcomes
Sixth seed Alex de Minaur played Dennis Shapovalov after defeating Lorenzo Sonego 6-2, 6-3 and the Canadians beat Kay Nishikoli 6-1, 6-4.
Stefanos Tsitsipas will face 10th seed Lorenzomsetti, who fought Jan-Lennard Struff 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, to defeat Tomas Martin Etcheverry 7-6 (3), 6-2.
Cameron Norry has also returned to Gili Lehecca 2-6, 6-4, 6-0. He plays Gabriel Diallo.
Andreeva is once again at the last 16
Russian teenager Mira Andreva has reached her final 16 for the third year in a row, beating Magdalena Fretsch 7-5, 6-3.
Ranked seventh, 17-year-old Andreva has yet to lose before Madrid’s fourth round.
She first reached that stage in 2023 and played as a wild card in her second WTA main draw. Last year, her first Big Quarter Final came to the Spanish capital.
“I was very nervous,” Andreva said. “I still struggle to find the best tennis in Madrid and am very pleased to be able to play consistently throughout the game.”
Andreeva, who turns 18 on Tuesday, will then face Ukrainian qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva, who defeated 18th seed Liudmila Samsonova in three sets.
Americans Coco Gough and Madison Keys also made progress with straight set wins.
The fourth seed gorff defeated his compatriots Annlie 6-2, 6-3, while the fifth seed key bordered Anna Karinskaya 7-5, 7-6 (3).
Belinda Benchic and Diana Shnaider were among the other winners.