Djokovic crashes to nervous Arnaldi in Madrid opener
Novak Djokovic's bid for a 100th career title was spoiled by Italian Matteo Arnaldi, who beat the Serb 6-3, 6-4 in the Madrid Open second round on Saturday.
The fourth-seeded Djokovic suffered a second consecutive opening defeat, he also exited in his opener against Alejandro Tabilo in Monte Carlo two weeks ago.
Amazing Arnaldi from start to finish 💪
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 26, 2025
What a performance as @mattearnalds takes down three-time champion Djokovic 6-3 6-4!@MutuaMadridOpen | #MMOpen pic.twitter.com/AtwnDfnbDt
Arnaldi, ranked 44th in the world, recorded just the second top-five win of his career and scribbled 'OMG' on the camera lens after his landmark victory.
"At the start I was just trying to not s*** in my pants, to be honest," said the 24-year-old Arnaldi.
The athletic Arnaldi squandered a 2-0 lead early in the contest but pounced again in the eighth game, breaking the Djokovic serve. The Italian wrapped up the opening set in 48 minutes.
WHAT a way to break! 🙌@mattearnalds | @MutuaMadridOpen | #MMOpen pic.twitter.com/Wpjo9ADYki
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 26, 2025
Djokovic, a three-time champion in Madrid, fired 20 unforced errors in the first frame and finished the contest with a total of 32.
👆 @mattearnalds 👆
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 26, 2025
Arnaldi with elite point construction in the early exchanges @MutuaMadridOpen | #MMOpen pic.twitter.com/30euASxpiR
"He's my idol, he's always been. I was just glad that I could play him because I never played him, I just practised once with him. So playing him on a stage like this was already a victory for me," said Arnaldi, who showcased an entertaining brand of all-court tennis.
"But, you know, he is not at his best right now, so I came on court to try to play my best tennis and win. It happened. So right now, I don't even know what to say."
Elsewhere, Lorenzo Musetti, playing his first match since reaching the biggest final of his career in Monte Carlo, moved past Argentina's Tomas Etcheverry 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 to book a third-round meeting with Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Mesmerising Musetti 🤩
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 26, 2025
Monte-Carlo finalist @Lorenzo1Musetti dazzles in a 7-6(3) 6-2 triumph over Etcheverry@MutuaMadridOpen | #MMOpen pic.twitter.com/cPdBxZHmIv
The talented Italian is on the cusp of making his top-10 debut, having entered the tournament at a career-high number 11.
Musetti admitted he is doing his best not to check the ATP live rankings website until he officially joins the top-10 club.
"This week, I don't want to look," said the 23-year-old, who moved up to No 9 in the live rankings on Saturday.
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