Luca Nardi Stuns Boyhood Idol and Top-Ranked Novak Djokovic With a 6–4, 3–6, 6–3 Win at Indian Wells

Luca Nardi Stuns Boyhood Idol and Top-Ranked Novak Djokovic With a 6–4, 3–6, 6–3 Win at Indian Wells
Luca Nardi of Italy returns a shot against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, Calif., on March 11, 2024. Mark J. Terrill/AP Photo
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INDIAN WELLS, Calif.—Luca Nardi used a combination of poise and power to stun his boyhood idol and top-seeded Novak Djokovic with a 6–4, 3–6, 6–3 win on Monday night in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open.

Nardi, who’s ranked No. 123, closed out his huge upset over the No. 1 player in the rankings with an ace. The 20-year-old from Italy dropped his racket and brought his hands to his face almost in disbelief before greeting Djokovic at the net.