Djokovic hit 15 winners, made 37 unforced errors, and won just seven of those 24 points on his second serve. Van de Zandschulp had his way in the neutral rallies. Does any of this have to do with a new, possibly more conservative approach that his coach, Andy Murray, has recommended? We’ll need to see more from them before making that judgment.

Novak Djokovic arrived in Indian Wells earlier this month hoping to boost his ATP Ranking ahead of the second Grand Slam of 2025 at the French Open in May, but that ambition was terminated in double quick time.