De Minaur's clay slump deepens with Rome loss to Arnaldi; Djokovic falls to Prižmić

Alex de Minaur’s clay-court troubles worsened in Rome as the Australian world No. 8 fell 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 to home favourite Matteo Arnaldi, extending a difficult run into a third straight defeat and his fourth in five matches on the surface. Backed by a raucous crowd at the Foro Italico on Friday morning, Arnaldi edged a tight contest that lasted just under three hours.

De Minaur took the opening set and clawed back to 4-4 in the decider but was broken to love in the next game, prompting the Australian to smash his racquet after netting a forehand. Rain began to fall late as his frustration mounted; he finished with 37 unforced errors and at times shouted toward his coaching box.

The result follows de Minaur’s opening-match drubbing by rising Spaniard Rafael Jodar at the Madrid Masters. He had been expected to set up a rematch with the teenager in the last 32 in Rome, but Arnaldi denied him the chance with a composed finish at home. It was not the day’s only upset.

Novak Djokovic, returning after two months out with a right shoulder injury, lost 2-6 6-2 6-4 to Croatian qualifier Dino Prižmić. The 20-year-old, ranked No. 79, sealed the win with an ace on his first match point. Djokovic, who had not played since a fourth-round defeat to Jack Draper at Indian Wells in March and had his shoulder taped, declined to elaborate on the injury.

“I hope you understand I will not talk about that. I want to congratulate Dino, deservedly the winner today,” he said. “I came in to have a match or more. Unfortunately, only a match. It’s all right. I’m pleased at least that I fought until the end.” Alexei Popyrin is now the last Australian left in the singles draw in Rome; he is scheduled to face Jakub Menšík on Saturday night.

Aleksandar Vukic was eliminated 6-4 6-2 by American 16th seed Tommy Paul. With Roland Garros later this month, de Minaur’s form on clay remains a pressing concern.