Philipp Kohlschreiber upset Novak Djokovic 6-4 6-4 in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open.
The German punched the air in celebration after a video review confirmed that his forehand winner caught the line on match point to seal the upset victory in Indian Wells.
Nole looked out-of-sorts throughout the 98-minute contest. He committed 27 unforced errors, converted just one of his five break point opportunities and destroyed his racket at one point when frustration boiled over on a sunny day in the Southern California desert.
His sloppy play did not diminish the 35-year-old Kohlschreiber's joy at defeating a number one ranked player for the first time in his long career, however.
"It's a very special moment. Of course, playing the top guys is always a big pleasure, but most of the time they beat you," Kohlschreiber said in an on-court interview.
"Today, with Novak being number one, top-seeded here, it's a very incredible win for me."
Djokovic tipped his cap to the veteran after the match.
"He's been around for so many years and he doesn't really get overwhelmed by the occasion of playing on center court," he told reporters. "He's proven he can win against top guys."
Kohlschreiber will not have long to celebrate, however, as the overnight interruption of his match against Djokovic for rain means he will be back on court for a fourth-round meeting with Gael Monfils on Wednesday.
In another upset during the day session Daniil Medvedev fell 6-3 6-2 to Filip Krajinovic.
Krajinovic will be a big underdog when he faces Rafa Nadal, who crushed Diego Schwartzman 6-3 6-1.
Roger Federer needed under an hour to defeat Stan Wawrinka 6-3 6-4 and will next face Kyle Edmund, who defeated Radu Albot in straight sets earlier in the day.
John Isner never faced a break point during his comfortable 6-3 6-4 win over Guido Pella.
The big-serving 2012 Indian Wells finalist will face Russian Karen Khachanov after he defeated countryman Andrey Rublev 7-5 6-3 in their fourth round match.
Article by Reuters
