Novak Djokovic has some problems in his opening game at the ATP 1000 tournament in Indian Wells.
The Serbian world number one struggled to a narrow 6:2, 5:7, 6:3 win against Australian Aleksandar Vukic on Sunday night and is now in the third round after his bye in round one.
There he has to deal with the Italian lucky loser Luca Nardi, who surprisingly prevails against the Chinese Zhizhen Zhang.
For Djokovic, who won the title five times in Indian Wells, it is his first appearance at the Californian 1000 tournament in five years. “That’s a long time for a tennis player, but it feels like my last appearance was just yesterday,” said the Serb, who said he had no problems adjusting after his long absence from Indian Wells.
“The people here immediately welcomed me. It’s nice to see the passion with which tennis is lived here.”
Monfils eliminates number eight
Daniil Medvevdev acts confidently and moves into the last 32 players with a smooth 6:2, 6:3 win over Roberto Carballes Baena. Veteran star Gael Monfils eliminated eighth-seeded Poland Hubert Hurkacz 6:0, 6:7 (5), 6:2.
Italy’s Lorenzo Muesetti defeated Canada’s Daniil Shapovalov 6:4, 2:6, 7:5.
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