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MONTE CARLO (AFP) – Novak Djokovic mentioned he “ran out of fuel” as he misplaced his opening match on the Monte Carlo Masters on Tuesday in simply his second event of the yr following his refusal to get vaccinated towards Covid-19.
The world No. 1 went down 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1 to Forty sixth-ranked Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina within the second spherical after dropping his serve 9 occasions in a rusty efficiency.
“I used to be hanging on the ropes your complete match. I used to be actually chasing the consequence consistently,” mentioned Djokovic, whose solely different look in 2022 was in Dubai in February the place he performed simply three matches.
“I didn’t like the best way I felt bodily within the third (set). I simply ran out of fuel fully.
“Simply couldn’t actually keep within the rally with him. For those who can’t keep within the rally, not feeling your legs on the clay, it’s mission unimaginable.”
Djokovic admitted his absence from most occasions had been “troublesome, mentally and emotionally” however mentioned he was “shifting on” forward of his return at a event he received in 2013 and 2015.
Davidovich Fokina had misplaced each earlier conferences to Djokovic in straight units, in Rome and on the Tokyo Olympics final season, however he raced right into a 4-1 lead and took the primary set.
It marks the primary time Djokovic has misplaced his opening match at a event since falling to Martin Klizan at Barcelona 4 years in the past.
He has not gone past the quarter-finals in Monte Carlo since 2015.
Davidovich Fokina, a quarter-finalist right here on his debut a yr in the past, will play David Goffin or Dan Evans for a spot within the final eight.
Defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas eased into the final 16 with a 6-3, 6-0 victory over Fabio Fognini, who received the title in 2019.
Taylor Fritz, the one participant to beat Rafael Nadal this yr en path to the trophy at Indian Wells final month, overcame residence wildcard Lucas Catarina 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (7/5), 6-4.
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