In a stunning upset at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, Alejandro Tabilo made headlines by defeating six-time champion Novak Djokovic in straight sets on Sunday. The 29th-seeded Chilean delivered a powerful performance, breaking Djokovic’s serve four times and not facing a single break point himself.
Tabilo’s victory marked his first win against a World No. 1 in the ATP Rankings, and he expressed his disbelief at the achievement, stating, “It’s incredible. I’m just trying to wake up right now.” This win propels Tabilo into the fourth round of a Masters 1000 event for the second time in his career.
The Chilean’s success in Rome adds to an already impressive 2024 season, where he has claimed his maiden ATP Tour trophy and reached the finals in other tournaments. Tabilo’s recent form on European clay has been exceptional, with strong showings in Bucharest and a title win at an ATP Challenger Tour event in Aix-en-Provence.
On the other hand, Djokovic’s defeat leaves him still searching for his first title of the season as he looks ahead to Roland Garros. The 36-year-old, who is the defending champion at the French Open, will be aiming to secure his 25th major title at the upcoming Grand Slam.
Tabilo’s victory over Djokovic has undoubtedly shaken up the tennis world, and fans will be eagerly anticipating his upcoming match against 16th seed Karen Khachanov in Rome. The Chilean’s remarkable performance has solidified his status as a rising star in the tennis circuit, and his journey in the tournament continues to captivate audiences worldwide.