Djokovic crashes out early in Rome as Prizmic claims upset win

ROME: Novak Djokovic made an early exit from the Italian Open on Friday after qualifier Dino Prizmic fought back to beat him in the second round, raising fresh concerns over the Serbian's fitness ahead of Roland Garros later this month.

Prizmic, a 20-year-old Croatian, recovered from losing the opening set to secure a 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory on centre court in Rome. The result marked one of the biggest wins of his career and sent the 24-time Grand Slam champion out of the tournament earlier than expected.

Djokovic was playing his first event since suffering a shoulder injury and had returned for the final major tournament before the French Open begins later this month. The world number four had withdrawn from events in Miami, Monte Carlo and Madrid after his last-16 defeat at Indian Wells in March.

Asked whether he expected to be back at his best in Paris, Djokovic replied,

I hope so

He added, "Let's see what happens"

The Serbian said physical issues had become a recurring challenge late in his career.

I don't recall the last time in the last couple of years of preparation where I didn't have any physical issues coming into a tournament

It's always something, it's kind of a new reality that I have to deal with.

Djokovic wore strapping on his shoulder during the match. He started strongly and took the first set comfortably, but Prizmic's aggressive hitting shifted the contest. The Croatian's power from the baseline eventually unsettled Djokovic, who could not regain control.

Prizmic has climbed to a career-best ranking of 79 and has now beaten two top-10 players in recent weeks. Sixth-ranked Ben Shelton was also beaten by him in the second round in Madrid last month.

Djokovic, who has won six titles at the Foro Italico, had not suffered such an early tournament defeat since the Madrid Open last year.

For Prizmic, the win carried extra significance because Djokovic is his idol. He will next face either Ugo Humbert or Vit Kopriva, with a place in the fourth round of a Masters 1000 event on the line for the first time in his career.

It was big moment for me. It was also big thing to share the court with a legend

So yeah today, I mean, I played unbelievable. I'm very happy about my performance.

Zverev and Swiatek advance

Earlier in the day, Alexander Zverev moved into the third round with a straight-sets win over fellow German Daniel Altmaier, beating him 7-5, 6-3.

The second seed arrived in Rome in strong form after reaching the Madrid final last weekend. He is again in the opposite half of the draw from Jannik Sinner. Zverev, 29, has lost to Sinner in four Masters 100 events this year and is chasing another Rome title after his triumphs in 2017 and 2024.

In the women's draw, three-time champion Iga Swiatek came through a difficult second-round match against Caty McNally, winning 6-1, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3.

Swiatek will next play either 28th seed Emma Navarro of the United States or Italy's Elisabetta Cocciaretto for a place in the last 16. What had initially looked like a straightforward contest stretched to nearly three hours.

It was a tough match, Caty really played great

I had to be patient. For sure, some mistakes happened. It was not an easy match. I'm really happy I was solid at the end and in the important moments. I kept it together.

The six-time Grand Slam champion has not won a clay-court tournament since taking the last of her four French Open titles in 2024. She had also suffered her earliest Madrid exit in five appearances last month when she retired in the third round because of a viral illness.