INDIAN WELLS (AFP) – Novak Djokovic struggled to a winning comeback at the ATP-WTA Indian Wells Masters five years after his last appearance, defeating Aleksandar Vukic 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 on Saturday.
World number one Djokovic, who had not played since losing an Australian Open semi-final to eventual champion Jannik Sinner in January, is chasing a sixth title at the desert venue in the season’s first Masters event.
The 36-year-old Serb captured the 400th Masters-level victory of his career, joining Rafael Nadal as the only men to reach the 400 milestone at the elite level.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion has won his last 11 Masters matches, collecting titles last season in Cincinnati and Paris Bercy. Djokovic wasn’t the only top player to be tested.
Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka saved four match points on the way to her 6-7 (2/7), 6-2, 7-6 (8/6) second-round victory over 64th-ranked Peyton Stearns, and US Open champion Coco Gauff rallied in the final set to beat France’s Clara Burel 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4).
Sabalenka next faces Emma Raducanu who advanced when Dayana Yastremska retired while trailing 4-0 because of illness.
Third seeded Gauff, who turns 20 next Wednesday, trailed her 47th-ranked French opponent 4-0 and 5-2 in the deciding third set, but was able to power back and throw it into a tie-breaker.
She paved the way by breaking Burel to love as the Frenchwoman served for victory leading 5-4.
In other women’s action, former number one Naomi Osaka continued her comeback after a maternity break with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Liudmila Samsonova.
Fifth-ranked Jessica Pegula was knocked out 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 by Anna Blinkova, who took revenge for a loss to the American at the start of the month in San Diego.
Men’s fourth seed Daniil Medvedev, last year’s runner-up and holder of six Masters titles, cruised through his opener against Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena 6-2, 6-3.
Seventh seed Holger Rune earned a free ride into the third round when former Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic of Canada pulled out of their match with an injury.
American 12th seed Taylor Fritz, the 2022 champion, dispatched Alejandro Tabilo of Chile 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 in 73 minutes, pumping out 14 aces among his 27 winners.