Six-time Italian Open champion Novak Djokovic faced a surprising defeat in three sets against world No. 79 Dario Prizmic, who rallied back to win 2-6, 6-2, 6-4. This marks Djokovic’s first loss in the opening match in Rome after a remarkable 18-1 record. Prizmic, who recently defeated Ben Shelton in Madrid, is now eyeing advancement to the fourth round and will next face Ugo Humbert.
Djokovic initially dominated the match, clinching the first set comfortably with two breaks in just 40 minutes. However, his performance dipped in the second set, possibly due to stomach discomfort, allowing Prizmic to seize control with a 4-0 lead. Despite Djokovic’s efforts to regain momentum, Prizmic’s relentless play pushed the match to a decisive third set.
In the final set, Djokovic struggled to maintain his competitiveness and eventually succumbed to Prizmic after conceding a crucial break point. Despite his attempts to pressure Prizmic into errors, Djokovic failed to secure a break opportunity of his own. Prizmic, buoyed by confidence, sealed the victory with an ace, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Novak Djokovic, who reached the Australian Open final earlier this year, will now focus on recovering for Roland Garros, where he aims to secure his 25th major title.
