Novak Djokovic was pushed by Aleksandar Vukic but held on to win his first match back in Indian Wells after a five-year absence on Saturday, as he looks to capture a record sixth title in the California desert.
The world No.1 one has not competed at the tournament since 2019 as he was unable to enter the US due to travel restrictions related to the pandemic, but he received a warm welcome from the fans on hand for the 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 second-round victory.
“It certainly does feel like home,” Djokovic said in an on-court interview. “Five years is a very long time for a tennis player. They call this tournament Tennis Paradise for a reason. It’s so amazing to be part of it as a player and a fan.”
American Taylor Fritz put on a serving clinic to beat Alejandro Tabilo 7-6(2), 6-2.
Aryna Sabalenka saved four match points in the third set and needed four match points of her own in the deciding set tie-break to overcome American Peyton Stearns 6-7(2), 6-2, 7-6(6) in a thrilling second-round clash.
Earlier, Coco Gauff overcame a 5-2 third-set deficit against unseeded Frenchwoman Clara Burel to emerge with a hard-fought 2-6 6-3 7-6(4) victory to reach the third round.
