World number one Novak Djokovic was beaten by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on his return to the ATP Tour at the Monte Carlo Masters.
Playing for the first time since February after skipping the US hard-court season because of Covid-19 vaccination issues, Djokovic was beaten 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-1 in just under three hours.
Davidovich Fokina won 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-1 to reach the third round.
Djokovic had his serve broken nine times by his Spanish opponent.
It is the first time the 34-year-old Serb – whose last match was a quarter-final defeat in Dubai has lost an opener at a tournament since 2018.
“This win is so special to me because I grew up watching Nole [Djokovic] and I’m a big fan of his,” said world number 46 Davidovich Fokina.
“I knew Nole didn’t have the confidence because he didn’t play a lot this season. I had my chances in the beginning of the match and I took them.
“When he won the second set it was tough mentally, but I work hard to be focused. I had to be prepared for the war.”
