Djokovic dumped by cool customer

Novak Djokovic suffered his earliest loss at the Indian Wells Masters since 2018, with the five-time champion sent to the exits by a lucky loser from qualifying rounds.

The former world No. 1 Serb has only exited here twice previously, losing in the first round in his 2006 debut.

The 37-year-old went down 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 to Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp, who credited the upset with staying calm under pressure.

“I kept my cool the entire match,” the No. 85 said. “In the third set I survived, broke him and got the momentum back.”

The 29-year-old credited his showcourt match this week against Nick Kyrgios with preparing him for the Djokovic stunner.

“Everyone has been struggling a bit with conditions (windy at times and a slow court)/. But I had played on the court already and that helped me for sure.

“Against the big guys I need to be cool. If I lose it I know it will be a tough day for me.”

Djokovic was playing his 500th career Masters 1000 match, hoping for a record-leading 410th win in the series. He had lost only one previous match from 12 played against Dutchmen over the past two decades.

He has now lost three matches in succession (Australian Open semis and Doha first round) for only the second time since 2008.