World No 1 Novak Djokovic is DUMPED OUT of Monte Carlo Masters by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

Novak Djokovic has been dumped out of the Monte Carlo Masters by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who beat the world No 1 in straight sets on Tuesday.

But his return to the court in just over six weeks ended sooner than expected, following his defeat. 

Djokovic got off to a slow start with Spain’s Davidovich Fokina storming into a dominant lead before the Serb clawed back a few points to make it 4-3.

However, Davidovich Fokina remained unfazed by the mini-comeback and sealed the first set in under 45 minutes.

It was much of the same in the second set, with Djokovic falling two games behind before he denied the Spaniard several break points and forcing deuce. But despite a resilient display, Davidovich Fokina held his nerve and won another match, making it 3-0.

Again, Djokovic took two quick games to make it 3-2 in the second to stage a comeback but the Spaniard responded immediately, creating a two-game deficit with a superb cross-court drop shot to make it 4-2.

Novak Djokovic was beaten by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina at the Monte Carlo Masters

The Spaniard dispatched the world No 1 at the Monte-Carlo Country Club

Djokovic answered back and won three successive games before the two traded games forcing a tie-break at 6-6 before superbly winning it to force a third and final set.

Tuesday’s match was just his fourth since early December, with his last matches coming at the Dubai Championships in mid-February, where he won two rounds before being dumped out by Jiri Vesely.  

The 20-times Grand Slam champion was unable to defend his Australian Open title in January after being deported from the country, having initially been admitted to the tournament despite not taking the vaccine. 

But now he is expected to play a full clay-court schedule ahead of the French Open in May, where he is expected to defend his crown. 

More to follow… 

Tuesday’s match was just the Serbian’s fourth since early December