Luca Nardi: ‘I’m the man who beat Novak Djokovic!’

Luca Nardi is prepared for an additional robust Indian Wells marketing campaign. A 12 months in the past, the younger Italian produced a stunner within the desert, qualifying for the primary draw and defeating the five-time champion Novak Djokovic!

Luca and Novak met within the third spherical, and the younger gun delivered a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory in two hours and 20 minutes. Thus, the 20-year-old notched solely his fourth ATP victory towards his idol. Whereas admitting many nonetheless have no idea his title, Nardi grew to become a participant who beat Novak Djokovic, which speaks sufficient for itself!

Djokovic didn’t really feel nicely, requiring a abdomen capsule. The five-time winners claimed the second set earlier than dropping floor once more within the decider, propelling his rival excessive. 

Desde los ocho años, Luca Nardi tiene una foto de Djokovic en la puerta de su cuarto.

Hoy se enfrentaron por primera vez.

Y le ganó.

pic.twitter.com/4WxJCUV16z

— Set Tenis (@settenisok) March 12, 2024

The veteran took one level greater than the teenager, however not the pivotal ones. The Serb created solely 4 break factors and seized two within the second set. Luca attacked and solid 11 break alternatives. He seized three and did sufficient to emerge on the prime.

The Italian hit 36 winners and 41 unforced errors, whereas decreasing his idol to 18 direct factors and 31 errors. Novak wasted a 40-15 lead within the fifth sport of the opening set and suffered a break when a qualifier landed a forehand winner. 

Luca Nardi, Indian Wells 2024© Stream screenshot

Nardi produced positive holds in video games six and eight and served for the opener at 5-4. The younger gun opened it with a volley winner and landed a robust serve for 6-4 in 44 minutes. The Serb raised his stage within the second set and welcomed nearly 20 unforced errors from his rival. 

Djokovic bounced again from 0-40 within the second sport and delivered his first break of the match. The third sport supplied an issue, and Luca closed it on the fifth break level to drag the break again. Novak made one other push on the return within the sixth sport.

Novak Djokovic, Indian Wells 2024© Stream screenshot

 

He delivered a break and held within the subsequent one for 5-2. Nardi denied two set factors on serve in sport eight earlier than the five-time winner wrapped it up with a backhand winner at 5-3. The Italian generated three break factors within the second sport, and the Serb denied them. 

Nardi solid a 3-2 lead with a smash winner and welcomed the rival’s forehand error within the subsequent one for 3 break factors. The younger gun clinched a break and landed a service winner within the subsequent one for 5-2. Novak closed the eighth sport at love and prolonged the battle. 

Luca Nardi, Indian Wells 2024© Stream screenshot

 

The 20-year-old served for his career-best victory at 5-3 and maintained his composure. Luca fired two winners at 15-15 for 2 match factors and seized the primary with an ace to supply a stunner on an exhilarating desert night time.

“As soon as I arrived at Tennis Paradise, I felt some good emotions. It’s a very good feeling to be back here. Usually, I’m not Luca Nardi. Maybe they do not know my name, but I’m the guy that beat Djokovic! It was wild.

Going to the net knowing that I beat Novak was something I could never imagine. It was a very nice moment. I thought I would make a double fault on a match point, and I hit an ace instead. I did not play at my best in the months after that great win.

However, I have raised my level in the past few months, improving my game and the ranking. I made some recent changes in the balance of my racquet frame, and I’m serving a bit better. I played well here last year and want to repeat that,” Luca Nardi mentioned.