Luca Nardi did the unthinkable on Monday after the Italian upset world No.1 Novak Djokovic in the BNP Paribas Open.
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ITALIAN OUSTS BOYHOOD IDOL DJOKOVIC IN THREE SETS
The 20-year-old Nardi pulled off a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, victory over his boyhood idol Djokovic in their third-round match on Monday night.
The world No.123 flicked an ace to close out the Serbian tennis superstar while dropping his racquet in disbelief.
“I’m a 20-year-old guy, 100 in the world, and beating Novak. So crazy. Crazy,” Nardi told The Tennis Channel.
FROM ‘LUCKY LOSER’ TO NOVAK GIANT-KILLER
Nardi was not supposed to be in this situation and was on his way home.
However, the Italian was tagged as a “lucky loser” after he took the place of No. 30 seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry and got a bye through the opening round.
The win enabled Nardi to become the lowest-ranked player to beat Djokovic in a Grand Slam or an ATP Masters 100-level tournament. He surpassed No. 122 Kevin Anderson in 2008 in Miami.
The Italian now goes on to meet American Paul in the round of 16 for a place in the quarterfinals.
