Novak Djokovic moved one step closer to breaking Roger Federer’s record in the California desert, clawing out a gritty 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 victory over Aleksandar Kovacevic on Monday. The win marks Djokovic’s first return to the Indian Wells Round of 16 since 2017, as the world No. 3 looks to secure an unprecedented sixth title at the "Tennis Paradise."
Playing his first tournament since his Australian Open final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic was pushed to the absolute limit by the 72nd-ranked American. Kovacevic, a 27-year-old New Yorker, hammered 16 aces and left Djokovic visibly frustrated during a dominant second-set display.
Djokovic’s journey back to the second week of Indian Wells has been anything but smooth. After claiming the first set, his game unravelled in the second as Kovacevic found his range. The Serb was seen stretching his hip and repeatedly shouting at his coach, Boris Bosnjakovic, as his level dipped.
I knew coming into the match that if he serves well and if he picks his spot in the box, it’s going to be tough to break him. I wasn't maybe feeling my rhythm on that return very well today, but he was just making my life very difficult. He got me into a position where I can win it and I seized it. That’s what counts in the end, to get the ‘W.'
Novak Djokovic
The second set saw a rare loss of composure from the 24-time Major champion. After failing to convert a break point early in the set, Djokovic surrendered his own serve to fall 0-2 behind. Commentators noted the intensity of his exchanges with his coaching team as he struggled with the conditions, a tournament where he has notoriously found progress difficult since his last title run in 2016.
"Kevin, I don't speak Serbian," commentator Barry Cowan remarked during the outburst. "But you just sort of look at the dialogue with his coach, maybe it's just something on the return." Despite the mini-meltdown and a stumble in the eighth game of the third set, Djokovic's legendary "clutch" gene surfaced in the final game to secure the break and the match.
Record: Djokovic is currently tied with Roger Federer for the most Indian Wells titles (5).
Drought: This is Djokovic's first appearance in the Round of 16 at this venue in nine years.
Age factor: At 38, Djokovic is aiming to become the oldest men's champion in the tournament's history.
Alcaraz watch: Carlos Alcaraz continues his defense on Stadium Court, riding a 13-0 match winning streak.
The path to the quarterfinals doesn't get any easier. Djokovic will next face defending champion Jack Draper, who dispatched Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo 6-1, 7-5. Draper famously derailed Alcaraz’s title bid here last year and remains one of the most dangerous players in the draw.
