Summary Jiri Vesely beat Novak Djokovic 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in the second round Monte Carlo Masters.
MONACO (AP) - Top-ranked Novak Djokovic chose to be philosophical after losing in the second round for the first time in three years on Wednesday, calling it "proof that nobody is unbeatable" after surrendering his Monte Carlo Masters title in a shock 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 loss to 55th-ranked Jiri Vesely.
His previous second-round defeat was at the 2013 Madrid Masters to Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, a vastly talented shot-maker with a far higher reputation than Vesely, an aspiring Czech player with one career title compared to the 63 for 11-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic.
It was also Djokovic s first loss in a completed match since November, having retired from a match in February with eye infections. This was his first match of the year on clay.
"There is the proof that nobody is unbeatable," the Serb said. "I have to move on, it s already behind me."
Djokovic saved a match point when he was serving against Vesely in the ninth game. But the Czech, who had never beaten a top-10 player, sealed the win on his second match point in the next game when Djokovic s forehand landed wide.
It was his first loss in a Masters-level event since August. Since then, he d won nine of 10 events, including two grand slams, four consecutive Masters titles, and the ATP Finals.
"I was playing really, really bad," Djokovic said. "I wasn t feeling any freshness."
The 22-year-old Vesely, who named Roger Federer as his idol when growing up, was understandably staggered by his win.
"It s something amazing. When I went on court, I had completely different thinking," Vesely said. "I hoped to win a game, hoped to do well. I really didn t think I could beat Novak today."
He did soon notice, however, that Djokovic was off his game.
"Novak wasn t at his best level, that s for sure, and he made a lot of mistakes from the beginning," Vesely said. "That s what gave me a little bit more confidence, creating the rallies. I didn t give him too much rhythm."
