De Minaur thrives at Madrid Open as Djokovic slumps again

Alex de Minaur has begun his Madrid Open campaign in style, but 24-time major winner Novak Djokovic has crashed out in straight sets.

De Minaur's clinical 6-2, 6-3 victory over Italian Lorenzo Sonego in the round of 64 on Saturday was overshadowed by another dismal first-round defeat for Djokovic.

The former world number one lost his third match in a row, succumbing tamely to Italy's Matteo Arnaldi 6-3, 6-4.

Djokovic, 37, pondered after the match whether he would be back in Madrid next year.

"I'll come back, maybe not as a player," Djokovic said.

"I've had a few of these this year where I lose in the first round, unfortunately.

"My level of tennis is not where I would like it to be."

Matteo Arnaldi (left) is congratulated by Novak Djokovic following his upset win. (Getty Images/Eurasia Sport: Alberto Gardin)

De Minaur's clay court prowess, though, is clearly on the up.

The world number seven is now looking at the prospect of a big run in the Masters 1000 event on the fast Madrid courts.

"I was very happy with how I settled mentally and was able to bounce back straight back after losing my serve first game," de Minaur said.

"I really ended up playing some great tennis. So very happy with that."

De Minaur faces Denis Shapovalov in the third round after the Canadian outplayed Kei Nishikori 6-1, 6-4.

AAP

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