Novak Djokovic made a triumphant return to Indian Wells after a five-year hiatus from the event but only after suffering a scare from world No 69 Aleksandar Vocic on Saturday night.
Djokovic recorded the milestone 400th Masters 1000 victory of his career with a 6-2 5-7 6-3 victory over the dangerous Vocic.
“Five years is a long time for a professional tennis player but at the same time playing here last time in 2019 feels like yesterday,” Djokovic said.
“I connected with the crowd and everyone I haven’t seen in five years. Many people come for practice sessions, not just me. It is amazing to see that there is so much passion and respect and admiration for tennis and tennis players. It’s great to be in tennis heaven.”
The world No. 1 is gunning for a record sixth crown in the California desert after not entering the United States for the past five years due to travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He won the tournament three times in a row from 2014-2016, but in his last appearance in 2019, he lost in the third round to now-retired German Philipp Kohlschreiber.
Wojciech had the better of extended returns against Djokovic, collecting 19 winners from the baseline to Djokovic’s 13, including 18 from the forehand wing.
But Djokovic won 83 percent of his first-serve points and limited Vocic to just 27 percent of his second-serve points.
Djokovic paid tribute to Vocic’s attacking style in the match. “He played brilliantly and deserved great credit and praise,” said the 36-year-old. “The crowd really appreciated his tennis and the standard was really high. He played some ripping forehands and crushing serves. He was hard to get through.
“He was going for it and it was going in. I managed to break the code in the third set and once I broke his serve I felt I pushed it a bit further and finished the match in style. “
The Serb will meet the next Italian lucky loser Luca Nardiwho defeated China’s Zhang Zizhen 6-3 3-6 6-3 on Monday.
The story of the tape
‘Djokovic tested on his return’
Mel McLaughlin on Sky Sports Tennis
“In the end it was a really good match and Vocic understandably came out a bit nervous but he did well to get himself back into an entertaining match where he had Djokovic’s attention at times.”
“He won a lot of those rallies and his first serve was very efficient and I think he should take a lot of motivation and confidence from the way he was able to play.
“Djokovic didn’t really face any trouble in the third set, but he was certainly tested on his return to the desert.”
Osaka continues its winning ways
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka No. 14 seed Lyudmila Samsonova maintained her winning ways with a 7-5 6-3 win.
Osaka, who won her first WTA title here in 2018, is playing her fifth tournament back on tour after her 2023 maternity leave.
She will face Elise Mertens from Belgium on Monday.
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