Djokovic knocked out in first match at Madrid Open

Novak Djokovic cupped his ear to demand more applause from the crowd after the 24-time Major winner chased down an apparently lost ball and won an improbable point.

Instead of sparking a comeback, it turned out to be Djokovic’s last gasp as he fell in straight sets to Matteo Arnaldi in his first match of the Madrid Open on Saturday. The 37-year-old Djokovic has lost three matches in a row as he struggles at the start of the claycourt swing ahead of the French Open next month. Djokovic is still seeking his first title of the season.

Arnaldi won 6-3 6-4, delaying Djokovic’s search for a career 100th title. The Serb was undermined by 32 unforced errors to his opponent’s 18 and had his serve broken three times. It was the first meeting between Djokovic and 44th-ranked Arnaldi of Italy. “He’s my idol, he’s always been,” Arnaldi said of Djokovic. “To play him at a stage like this was already a victory for me. He’s not at his best right now, so I came on court to try to play my best tennis and win and it happened.”

Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva reached the last-16 for the third straight year by defeating Magdalena Frech 7-5 6-3.

Top seeds Alexander Zverev and Aryna Sabalenka scored comfortable victories in their opening matches late on Friday.

Zverev cruised past home favourite Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2 6-2, while Sabalenka triumphed against qualifier Anna Blinkova 6-3 6-4.

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