Djoker left red-faced
Qualifier Daniel shocks Novak; India’s Yuki sends World No. 12 packing
Indian Wells (United
States), March 12: World number one Roger Federer finished off Federico Delbonis in a rain-disrupted match on Sunday to reach the third round at Indian Wells while fivetime champion Novak Djokovic was toppled.
Djokovic fell at the first hurdle with a shock loss to Japanese qualifier Taro Daniel, who sent the outof-sorts Serb tumbling with a hard-fought 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 6-1 victory.
It was another snag in the return for world number 13 Djokovic, who admitted he lacked composure while playing in just his second event of 2018 and first since having surgery.
Djokovic scrambled to win the second set on Sunday but the rust from the layoff was evident as he made 62 unforced errors overall.
Djokovic had four aces but served poorly overall, making four double faults. Federer said he understands well how even a champion like Djokovic could be struggling to find his game so soon after having surgery.
Meanwhile, India’s Yuki Bhambri registered the biggest win of his career as he stunned the world number 12 Lucas Pouille to breeze into the third round.
In a stunning performance, the 110th ranked Yuki, who qualified for the main draw, dispatched the ninth seed Frenchman 6-4 6-4 in one hour and 19 minutes.
The win is the biggest for the 25-year-old Indian, who had shocked the tennis world by demolishing Citi Open defending champion and world number 22 Gael Monfils in August 2017.
Yuki had beaten world number 16 Fabio Fognini in 2014 at the Chennai Open but the Italian had retired from that match due to a fitness issue.
The win has already ensured Bhambri 45 ranking points and $47,170.
He will next take on tall American world number 21 Sam Querry, who ousted Germany's Mischa Zverev 6-4 7-5.
Rohan Bopanna was ousted from the men’s doubles in the first round with Edourad Roger-Vasselin.
Meanwhile, the Swiss Master returned to stadium court afternoon and needed an hour to close out his second-round victory 6-3, 7-6 (8/6).
His title defence got off to a soggy start on Saturday when play was suspended.