Djokovic makes winning return to Indian Wells

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, aiming for a record sixth title in the California desert.

The world number one has not competed in the tournament since 2019, when he was unable to enter the United States due to travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but he was greeted warmly by the fans in attendance for the 6-2 5-7 6-3 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. There's a great community, great culture, great love for the sport."

In his first match since losing in the Australian Open semi-finals to eventual champion Jannik Sinner in January, the top-seeded Serbian looked energized, breaking serve in the first game and clinching the first set on an ace.

In the second set, the unseeded Australian found range with his powerful forehand and eventually broke Djokovic's serve when his backhand up the line narrowly missed its target.

Vukic saved three break points in the following game to take a 3-0 lead, but Djokovic broke back with an exquisite drop shot volley to break back and hold serve for 3-3.

But Djokovic's 12th unforced error of the set resulted in set points, and Vukic hammered a stunning return winner to send the match to a third set.

In the decider, Djokovic crushed his own forehand that Vukic could not return for a break and a 3-2 lead that he would not relinquish, then hit a lob that Vukic could not handle on match point to advance to the third round.

Earlier, American Taylor Fritz delivered a serving clinic to defeat Alejandro Tabilo 7-6(2) 6-2 in their second round match.

The 2022 champion never faced a break point and crushed down his 14th ace on match point to defeat the Chilean under sunny desert skies in front of a cheering San Diego crowd.

"It's unreal," Fritz said on centre court after the win.

"I was coming to this tournament as a kid for a long time and this is my favourite stop of the whole year, just to hear the crowd and the support when I walk out is incredible."

Tabilo served well in the opener, and the tight first set was eventually decided in a tiebreak, where Fritz took advantage of his opportunities.

"I got some looks at second serves in the tiebreaker," Fritz said. "Then in the second set I started finding my rhythm, returning serve a little bit better."

Milos Raonic withdrew from his second-round match against seventh seed Holger Rune due to a calf strain.

The former world number three had to withdraw from the Australian Open and Rotterdam due to injuries, capping off a difficult start to the year for the 33-year-old.

Former champion Cameron Norrie, French teenager Arthur Fils, and Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov all advanced in straight sets to the third round.

SportsLigue