Top seed Djokovic stunned by Musetti in Monte-Carlo

World No 1 Novak Djokovic was knocked out of the Monte-Carlo Masters in the third round on Thursday, beaten 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 by Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti at the Monte-Carlo Country Club on Thursday.

In his second match since February, Djokovic led by a set and 4-2 but dropped serve eight times as Musetti roared back, the Italian saving a break point in the final game to serve out.

Musetti, ranked No 21, will face Italian Jannik Sinner, the No 7 seed, next.

“I am struggling not to cry,” Musetti said on court. “It is an emotional win because it was a really long match. Three-hour match and suspended by rain. It was not easy conditions because it was a little bit windy and cold, not like we used to play in the recent days.

“I am really proud of myself and I can see on the screen. I am struggling not to cry because it is a dream for me.”

Wearing a black sleeve over his right elbow, Djokovic struggled in the windy, damp conditions but still looked set to win when he led by a set and a break.

But Musetti, who led Djokovic by two sets to love at Roland-Garros two years ago, hit back as Djokovic faltered and then, after a lengthy delay for rain early in the third set, he broke midway through the decider and held his nerve to clinch the biggest win of his life.

Ahead of his victory, the 21-year-old Italian won against Serb Miomir Kecmanovic (7-6 (1), 6-0) and qualifier Luca Nardi (6-0, 6-0).

Djokovic, ranked No 1, defeated Russian qualifier Ivan Gakhov (7-6 (5), 6-2) in the previous round of the Monte-Carlo tournament.

Monte-Carlo Masters, other round of 16 results (Monte-Carlo Country Club, clay, EUR 5.779.335, most recent results first):

• Holger Rune (6) beat Matteo Berrettini (walkover)
• Taylor Fritz (8) beat Jiri Lehecka: 4-6, 6-4, 6-1
• Stefanos Tsitsipas (2) beat Nicolas Jarry: 6-3, 6-4
• Andrey Rublev (5) beat Karen Khachanov (9): 7-6 (4), 6-2
• Jannik Sinner beat Hubert Hurkacz (10): 3-6, 7-6 (6), 6-1
• Jan-Lennard Struff (Q) beat Casper Ruud (4): 6-1, 7-6 (6)
• Daniil Medvedev vs. Alexander Zverev