Novak is again in Indian Wells for the primary time since 2019.
After receiving a first-round bye, Serbian star Novak Djokovic confronted 69th-ranked Aleksandar Vukic on the Indian Wells Tennis Backyard on Saturday.
The world no.1 recorded a 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 victory in two hours and 10 minutes to achieve the third spherical. It was the pair’s first ATP H2H conflict.
All through the match, Novak demonstrated his trademark talent and resilience, breaking the Australian’s serve 5 occasions from 13 alternatives.
The five-time titlist broke Vukic twice within the first set and twice within the third, whereas the Australian dictated play within the second set, making the match really entertaining and gratifying for the spectators and tennis followers.
Djokovic paid tribute to his rival’s method to the match. “He performed wonderful and deserved nice credit score and applause. The group actually appreciated his tennis and the standard was actually excessive. He performed some ripping forehands and crushing serves. It was troublesome to undergo him. He was going for it and it was getting into. I sort of managed to crack the code within the third set and as soon as I broke his serve I felt I stepped it up a bit and completed off the match in type.”
“5 years is kind of a very long time for knowledgeable participant however on the identical time taking part in right here the final time in 2019 felt like yesterday,” Djokovic mentioned. “I related with the group and everybody I haven’t seen in 5 years in a short time. Lots of people come to follow periods, not simply mine. It’s wonderful to see that a lot ardour and respect and appreciation for tennis and gamers. It’s superior to be in Tennis Paradise.”
Already a holder of a document 40 ATP Masters 1000 titles, Nole clinched his four-hundredth match win at that stage, becoming a member of Spaniard Rafael Nadal (406) as the one gamers to have reached the milestone.
Match statistics: aces (11-9), double faults (5-3), winners (23-24), unforced errors (12-14), complete factors gained (98-78).
For a spot within the BNP Paribas Open final 16, Novak will play in opposition to Italian fortunate loser Luca Nardi, at present ranked ATP no. 123. It will likely be their first profession encounter.
Picture: AP
