MADRID — Novak Djokovic lost to Matteo Arnaldi in the opening round of the Madrid Open on Saturday, extending the 24-time Grand Slam winner’s struggles on clay ahead of Roland Garros.
Arnaldi won 6-3, 6-4 to continue the delay of Djokovic’s search for a 100th career title. The Serb was undermined by 32 unforced errors.
Arnaldi raised his arms and turned to the crowd after striking a winner that gave him a second-set break. Djokovic tried to hit right back and had three break points, but Arnaldi rallied to save his serve and finished off the three-time champion.
Arnaldi wrote “OMG” on the camera when given the marker for the now customary message by the winner to the television audience.
It was the first meeting between Djokovic and 44th-ranked Arnaldi of Italy.
The 37-year-old Djokovic has lost three matches in a row: the Miami final, his opener to Alejandro Tabilo at the Monte Carlo Masters two weeks ago and Saturday’s loss to Arnaldi.
Djokovic is still seeking his first title of the season after winning his 99th title in August at the Paris Olympics. He has lost four finals since then. The only two players to reach the 100-title milestone are Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103).
Arnaldi will next face Damir Dzumhur after he rallied past Sebastian Baez 1-6, 6-1, 6-2.
Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva reached the last 16 for the third straight year by defeating Magdalena Frech 7-5, 6-3.
The 17-year-old Andreeva, ranked No. 7, has yet to lose before the Madrid fourth round.
She reached that stage for the first time in 2023 while playing as a wild card in her second WTA main draw. Last year, her first big quarterfinals came in the Spanish capital.
“I was very, very nervous,” Andreeva said. “I still struggle to find my best tennis in Madrid. Super happy that I could manage to play consistent throughout the whole match.”
Andreeva, who will turn 18 on Tuesday, will next face Ukrainian qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva, who defeated 18th-seeded Liudmila Samsonova in three sets.
