Novak Djokovic’s shock exit in a major upset marks 2024 Indian Wells Day 6: Featuring Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, and Maria Sakkari
While Djokovic and Osaka were knocked out after a defeat in the third round, Gauff, Sabalenka, and Sakkari advanced to the pre-quarterfinals.
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Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka (Images via Imago)
The sixth day of the main draw at 2024 Indian Wells witnessed some thrilling action as top stars took center stage. Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Naomi Osaka were among the top names who fought for a place in the next round, the pre-quarterfinals. Unfortunately for Djokovic fans, it was a heartbreak as the 24-time Grand Slam champion was ousted after a defeat to Luca Nardi.
Djokovic lost his third-round match in three sets and his quest for a sixth Indian Wells title ended. Japanese tennis ace Osaka also bowed out after she lost to Elise Mertens in straight sets. Meanwhile, Sabalenka, Gauff, and Monfils progressed to the next round.
Russia’s Daniil Medvedev also entered the pre-quarterfinals with a thumping win over Sebastian Korda. Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Maria Sakkari, and Daria Kasatkina were the other winners on the day.
2024 Indian Wells Day 6 Highlights
Novak Djokovic suffers shocking defeat to Luca Nardi
The Serbian tennis was shocked by Italian Luca Nardi as Novak Djokovic lost in three sets. The 36-year-old conceded the first set 4-6. However, Djokovic was quick to bounce back in the second set as he won it 6-3.
In the decider, Djokovic struggled to save himself from embarrassment as the 20-year-old pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the Indian Wells Open history. Although Nardi called it a miracle, it was a herculean effort from the Italian to drop just three points in his final two service games.
With this defeat, Djokvoic’s dream to create history and become the player with the most titles in the California desert with a sixth against his name was shattered.
Aryna Sabalenka cuts short Emma Raducanu’s journey at 2024 Indian Wells
As predicted, the match between Aryna Sabalenka and Emma Raducanu was won one-sided by the Belarusian ace. The two-time Australian Open champion showed no mercy as Sabalenka ousted Raducanu from the Masters tournament with a straight-set win.
The 25-year-old Belarusian started the match on a high as Sabalenka clinched the first set 6-3. In the subsequent set, Raducanu threatened to stage a comeback but Sabalenka was alert enough to close the match by winning the second set 7-5.
Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul join Ben Shelton in keeping the American Dream alive
Top-ranked American Taylor Fritz as well as Tommy Paul managed to win their third-round matches and join Ben Shelton in the pre-quarterfinals. While Fritz beat Sebastian Baez, Paul took out Ugo Humbert.
The two Americans found no issues in beating their opponents as it was a straight-set win for both Fritz and Paul. Taylor Fritz beat Baez 6-2, 6-2 in 68 minutes while Paul needed 87 minutes to go past Humbert and win the match 6-4, 6-4.
Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune still in the fight for the title
Russian tennis ace and three-time Australian Open finalist Daniil Medvedev sailed into the pre-quarterfinals on the back of a comprehensive victory in his third-round match. The third seed beat Sebastian Korda in three sets of 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 and leveled the head-to-head record against the American.
Meanwhile, Holger Rune also easily beat Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets of 6-2, 7-6 (5). The Danish ace who suffered an early exit at the 2024 Australian Open put his dominant game on display, toppling Musetti in 96 minutes. He will next face Fritz in the fourth round.
Coco Gauff and Maria Sakkari also seal a spot in pre-quarterfinals
Reigning US Open women’s singles champion Coco Gauff is doing well at the 2024 Indian Wells as the 19-year-old emphatically won her third-round match. Gauff was pitted against Lucia Bronzetti from Italy and the American faced no problems in beating her opponent. She won the match 6-2, 7-6 (5) in an hour and 49 minutes.
Meanwhile, ninth seed Maria Sakkari also cruised into the fourth round as she beat Caroline Garcia from France. The Greek WTA star saw her opponent’s back in 77 minutes as Sakkari won the match 6-3, 6-4. She will meet another Frenchwoman, Diane Parry in the pre-quarterfinals.
Men’s Singles Results
| Winner | Loser | Scoreline |
| Luca Nardi | Novak Djokovic | 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 |
| Holger Rune | Lorenzo Musetti | 6-2, 7-6 (5) |
| Gael Monfils | Cameron Norrie | 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5), 6-3 |
| Tommy Paul | Ugo Humbert | 6-4, 6-4 |
| Casper Ruud | Arthur Fils | 6-2, 6-4 |
| Taylor Fritz | Sebastian Baez | 6-2, 6-2 |
| Grigor Dimitrov | Adrian Mannarino | 6-3, 6-3 |
| Daniil Medvedev | Sebastian Korda | 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 |
Women’s Singles Results
| Winner | Loser | Scoreline |
| Coco Gauff | Lucia Bronzetti | 6-2, 7-6 (5) |
| Aryna Sabalenka | Emma Raducanu | 6-3, 7-5 |
| Elise Mertens | Naomi Osaka | 7-5, 6-4 |
| Maria Sakkari | Caroline Garcia | 6-3, 6-4 |
| Emma Navarro | Elina Svitolina | 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 |
| Yuan Yue | Caroline Doelhide | 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2) |
| Daria Kasatkina | Sloane Stephens | 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 |
| Diane Parry | Anna Blinkova | 6-4, 6-3 |
In case you missed!
- “Djokovic is actually finished, he’s done” – Major upset stuns fans as ‘lucky loser’ Luca Nardi beats his idol Novak Djokovic at 2024 Indian Wells
- WATCH: “Cheap Move?” – Gael Monfils gets called out for using underarm serve against Cam Norrie during tiebreak
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Ritesh Pathak
(2150 Articles Published)