Djokovic follows Nadal with early exit at Italian Open

ROME — Novak Djokovic’s performance was so poor Sunday that even the 24-time Grand Slam champion admitted it was “concerning.” Djokovic put on one of his worst displays at one of his favorite tournaments, upset by 29th-seeded Alejandro Tabilo in the third round of the Italian Open.

It was Djokovic’s first match since he accidentally was hit on the head by a water bottle while signing autographs after his win Friday. “I managed to sleep OK. I had headaches. The next day was pretty fine, so I thought it’s OK. Maybe it is OK. Maybe it’s not,” Djokovic said. “I mean, the way I felt on the court was just completely like a different player entered into my shoes. Just no rhythm, no tempo, no balance whatsoever on any shot. It’s a bit concerning.”

Djokovic, who has won the Italian Open six times, started with a double-fault, and it didn’t get much better. The top-ranked Djokovic lost his first two service games and went on to lose the match 6-2, 6-3 in just 68 minutes.

The third-round loss marked Djokovic’s worst performance at the Italian Open. He had lost only once before to an opponent outside the top 10 in Rome.

Djokovic followed Rafael Nadal to an early exit after Nadal, a record 10-time Italian Open champion, lost his third-round match to Hubert Hurkacz 6-1, 6-3 on Saturday.

Tabilo next faces 16th-seeded Karen Khachanov, who beat Francisco Cerundolo 6-2, 6-4.

In the women’s tournament, second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka made the fourth round with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Dayana Yastremska. Sofia Kenin was upset by qualifier Rebecca Sramkova 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

ALESSANDRA TARANTINO/ASSOCIATED PRESS Novak Djokovic had a bad day Sunday at the Italian Open, falling in straight sets to Alejandro Tabilo in a third-round match that lasted just 68 minutes. Djokovic called his performance “a bit concerning.”