Djokovic started strongly and appeared in control early in the match, but Prizmic staged an impressive comeback to secure a memorable 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory and deny the Serbian a place in the last 32.
Prizmic rallies after slow start
The match marked the first meeting between Djokovic and Prizmic since the 2024 Australian Open.
Djokovic dominated the opening set by breaking serve in the sixth game with a forehand winner after constructing the point with a delicate drop shot and volley combination. The Serbian comfortably closed the set 6-2.
However, momentum shifted dramatically in the second set as Djokovic’s first-serve effectiveness declined.
Prizmic stormed to a 4-0 lead before leveling the match with a commanding 6-2 set. The Croatian maintained his confidence in the decider and secured a crucial break in the fifth game before sealing one of the biggest wins of his career with a 6-4 finish.
Djokovic admits being “half a step late”
Speaking after the defeat, Djokovic said he did not believe he had played badly overall but admitted he struggled physically at key moments.
“I was half a step late,” the Serbian star said.
Djokovic also praised Prizmic’s performance, describing it as “high-level tennis,” while highlighting the improvement in the Croatian’s forehand since their previous meeting.
Zverev advances, De Minaur eliminated
Elsewhere in the men’s singles draw, second seed Alexander Zverev progressed to the third round with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over fellow German Daniel Altmaier.
Sixth seed Alex de Minaur was eliminated after a hard-fought three-set defeat to Italian wildcard Matteo Arnaldi.
Arnaldi won the contest 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-4 to delight the home crowd in Rome.
Rybakina and Swiatek move into third round
In the women’s singles competition, second seed Elena Rybakina advanced comfortably with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Greece’s Maria Sakkari.
Meanwhile, three-time Rome champion Iga Swiatek endured a difficult battle before defeating American Caty McNally 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-3 in a match lasting nearly three hours.
Mboko withdraws due to illness
Tenth seed Victoria Mboko withdrew from the tournament on Friday because of a gastrointestinal illness.
Lucky loser Nikola Bartunkova replaced her in the draw.
Saturday’s action in Rome will feature China’s Zheng Qinwen facing former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, while world number one Jannik Sinner is set to begin his Italian Open campaign.