Thiem halts Djokovic to end hopes of Big Four clash

The first “Big Four” showdown of 2018 will have to wait after Novak Djokovic was ousted from the Monte Carlo Masters by the Austrian, Dominic Thiem.

Had Djokovic won yesterday, he would have faced Rafael Nadal today in the quarter-finals – and thus set up the first meeting between members of tennis’s elite group since Nadal lost to Roger Federer in October’s Shanghai final.

But Djokovic, though playing confidently, still looked unprepared for the physical challenge of facing Thiem, a fit and strong opponent who had also eliminated him from last year’s French Open. Thiem wasted three set points on his own serve, but managed to lift his intensity towards the end of the 6-7, 6-2, 6-3 win.

Afterwards, Djokovic spoke about his progress over the past week while also revealing that he will continue to work with Marian Vajda, the old mentor whom he reengaged recently, until at least the

end of the clay-court season. “I’m feeling like it’s been getting better every day,” said Djokovic. “I played without pain in the elbow, which is important. I have my coach Marian back in the box.

“I haven’t played too many matches since July. I’ll probably play one of the two tournaments next week [in Barcelona or Budapest]. I will decide tomorrow which one it will be. Hopefully I’m going to get a wild card.”

Meanwhile, the British Fed Cup team will face Japan in the small hours of tomorrow morning, British time, as they attempt to regain a place in the World Group for the first time in 25 years.

The UK TV rights to the US Open have been picked up by the online retail giant Amazon at a cost of about £30million for five years.