Novak Djokovic overcame a slow start to defeat Kamil Majchrzak in three sets, advancing to the third round of the Indian Wells Masters

FIVE-time champion Novak Djokovic rallied from a set down to beat Kamil Majchrzak 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 on Saturday. The victory secured the Serb’s place in the third round of the Indian Wells ATP Masters 1000 tournament.

The 38-year-old superstar was playing his first match since falling to Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open final. Djokovic required two hours and 12 minutes to overcome the 57th-ranked Pole on a windy Stadium Court.

“Kamil is a very solid player,” Djokovic said. “He played a tremendous first set. I kind of reset and started feeling the ball better.” The match featured extended rallies, including a 40-shot exchange in the opening game of the third set.

Djokovic broke Majchrzak twice in the deciding set to seal a 5-2 lead. He closed out the match with a backhand volley winner for a satisfying victory.

The win was especially meaningful given Djokovic’s recent struggles at the Indian Wells event. He shares the tournament title record with Roger Federer but hasn’t reached the quarter-finals since his last win in 2016.

“It’s kind of hard to find my A-game, particularly at the beginning of the tournament,” he admitted. “So just glad to overcome a challenge.” Last year, he lost in the second round to Dutch lucky loser Botic van de Zandschulp.

Later on Saturday, Carlos Alcaraz opened his campaign against Grigor Dimitrov. The Spaniard is aiming for a third Indian Wells title and to extend his perfect 12-0 start to the year.

Alcaraz made history last month by becoming the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam with his Australian Open victory. He arrived in California after also winning the Qatar Open.

In other action, defending champion Jack Draper launched his title defense with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over Roberto Bautista Agut. The British player halted Alcaraz’s bid for a three-peat in last year’s semi-finals before beating Holger Rune in the final.

Draper returned to California rebuilding from an arm injury that cut short his 2025 season. “To come out and play the level I’m playing after the injury I had, I am really proud of that,” said Draper, now ranked 14th in the world.

“It was difficult,” he added regarding his latest comeback. “I am really glad with the way I came through in the second and third sets against a formidable opponent.”

 The Sun Malaysia