Djokovic exits right away in Indian Wells, Monfils wins another thriller against Isner

Novak Djokovic’s BNP Paribas Open is closed after just one match.

In a performance that should have come as no surprise due to his recent physical problems, Djokovic looked rusty and well less than 100 percent throughout a 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-1 loss to Taro Daniel during second-round action on Sunday afternoon. The former world No. 1 wilted in a third set that saw him win only two of 10 second-serve points, as Daniel picked up the biggest victory of his career after two hours and 30 minutes.

“I’d like to congratulate my opponent for fighting and showing great, great spirit on the court,” Djokovic said. “For me it felt like first match I ever played on tour; very weird. I mean, I just completely lost my rhythm. But I was grateful to be out on the court.”

“It was amazing,” Daniel assured. “Warming up this morning, I was thinking that the court is really big. I was actually pretty nervous playing the match. But he obviously wasn’t in his top form, so I was able to take advantage of it. And even if I lost the second set, I still had faith I could pull something off in the third.”
Highlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpcxgcZcC6s

Whereas the Djokovic-Daniel match was competitive for two sets, Gael Monfils vs. John Isner was–as usual–a thriller from start to finish. Monfils saved one match point before triumphing 6-7(5), 7-6(3), 7-5 in two hours and 35 minutes.

The Frenchman came up especially clutch twice in the third set. At 3-4, he battled out of a 0-40, virtual triple-match point hole. Monfils survived another tough service game at 4-5, even fighting off a match point at 30-40. With momentum in hand, he broke for the first time all afternoon at 5-5 and held easily in the 12th game of the set to clinch victory.

“I felt that [the third set] was a little bit tight; that’s why I fired up straight away,” Monfils explained. “When I saved those last two break points I fired up the crowd, because I think when you can see your opponent is tight, it’s good. But then (in) the end I was very lucky. I had good aspiration I think [when I broke serve at 5-5] because honestly I hit a ridiculous return and passing shot, and then I just held.”

Monfils is now 6-4 lifetime against Isner and only two of their 10 encounters have ended in straight sets.

Monfils highlights: