Novak Djokovic waited five years to return to Indian Wells but the Serb’s campaign in the California desert came to a close much earlier than anyone expected, after 20-year-old Luca Nardi pulled off a stunning 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 upset on Monday.

The world No.1 saw his hopes of winning a record sixth title dashed by the 123rd-ranked player. “He really didn’t have anything to lose, so he played great. Deserved to win,” Djokovic told reporters. “I was more surprised with my level. My level was really, really bad.”

To think, the Italian was nearly on his way home. He got into the field as a “lucky loser” — a player who loses the qualifiers but makes it to the main draw as a replacement for someone who pulls out before the first round. In Nardi’s case, he stepped in for No. 30 Tomas Martin Etcheverry and received a bye through the opening round.

He became the lowest-ranked player to beat Djokovic in a grand slam or a ATP Masters 1000 level event, surpassing No. 122 Kevin Anderson in 2008 in Miami.

While Djokovic was uncharacteristically sloppy, Nardi was sharp and beat the 24-time grand slam champion he grew up idolising.

“I made some really terrible unforced errors,” Djokovic said. “He just stepped in and he used the time. He was playing more free and more aggressive than I did...

“No titles this year yet, that’s not something I’m used to,” he said. “I was starting the season most of my career with a grand slam win or, you know, Dubai win, or any tournament,” he said.

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

“This is a miracle,” Nardi said in an interview after the match on the Tennis Channel. “I’m a 20-years-old guy, 100 in the world, and beating Novak. So, crazy. Crazy.”

“Before this night, no one knew me,” said Nardi, who will face American Tommy Paul in the Round-of-16. “I hope now the crowd enjoyed the game. I’m super happy with this one.”

No. 4 Daniil Medvedev’s was just good enough, as he edged No. 29 Sebastian Korda 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 and will face No. 13 Grigor Dimitrov. No. 7 Holger Rune played his first match of the tournament and beat Lorenzo Musetti 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) to advance to the Round-of-16.

Earlier in the day, Coco Gauff gave herself an early birthday present by beating Lucia Bronzetti 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) in the third round. Gauff, who turns 20 on Wednesday, will face Elise Mertens who held off Naomi Osaka 7-5, 6-4.

Two-time Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka beat 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu 6-3, 7-5 to advance.