Novak Djokovic loses at Monte Carlo Masters to Jiri Vesely

Defending champion slips to second round defeat

Novak Djokovic congratulates Jiri Vesely (Getty)

Defending champion Novak Djokovic was stunned by 55th-ranked Jiri Vesely 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters on Wednesday.

It was his first loss in a completed match since November. He retired from a match in February with eye infections.

Top-ranked 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.

It was Djokovic's first loss in a Masters-level event since August. Since then he'd won nine of 10 events, including two grand slams, four Masters titles, and the ATP Finals.

Earlier, eight-time Monte Carlo champion Rafael Nadal dropped serve twice and still beat Aljaz Bedene of Britain 6-3, 6-3 in the second round.

AP