Djokovic overcomes sluggish start to secure Indian Wells third round
Novak Djokovic survived an opening-set scare to defeat Kamil Majchrzak 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 on Saturday and will face American Aleksandar Kovacevic in the next round.
Novak Djokovic, 2026 | © PsNewz
Novak Djokovic overcame a disruptive start against world No 57 Kamil Majchrzak to advance to the round of 32 at the BNP Paribas Open.
The Serbian 3rd seed struggled early with his timing before prevailing 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 in a physical Saturday night contest. He eventually mastered the desert conditions after a battle that tested both his tactical discipline and his recent competitive drive.
Serbian icon finds spark to set up Aleksandar Kovacevic clash
The victory propels Djokovic into a third-round matchup against American Aleksandar Kovacevic. Because Djokovic has famously struggled with his motivation and results in Indian Wells over the last few seasons, this successful comeback serves as a critical confidence builder.
“It was hard for me recently to play my A-game,” Djokovic admitted regarding his recent form and mental state. He noted that Majchrzak played a great first set while he struggled to find his rhythm. “Right at the beginning of the second I kind of reset and started feeling the ball better. The crowd was amazing honestly for a first match in a packed court at Tennis Paradise.”
“the wind here is one of the toughest on the tour”
Djokovic identified the unique desert environment as the primary driver behind his initial struggles. “I find that the wind here is one of the toughest on the tour,” he explained. He specifically highlighted how the gusting wind changes directions and creates immense tension for players who are not feeling the ball well. “If you are tight and not feeling the ball well, you are in big trouble. It is what happened for me in the first set and in the last couple of years.”
The match opened with Majchrzak dictating play through consistent baseline aggression. The Pole had momentum from a three-set win over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and broke Djokovic early to secure the first set. However, the world No 3 responded by shifting his court position and increasing his margin for error.
“I managed to find the right game from the very beginning in the second and I did not look back,” Djokovic concluded.
Based on the most recent draw update from the provided documents, here is the list of Round 2 matches in draw order. Matches currently in progress or not yet started are marked accordingly.
Indian WELLS Men’s Singles – Round 2
Carlos Alcaraz (1) – Grigor Dimitrov: In Progress
Arthur Rinderknech (26) – Juan Manuel Cerundolo: 0-0 [WO]
Valentin Vacherot (24) – Nuno Borges: 7-5, 6-4
Casper Ruud (13) – Alexander Shevchenko: 6-1, 6-4
Alexander Bublik (10) – Vit Kopriva (LL): Scheduled
Rinky Hijikata (Q) – Luciano Darderi (20): In Progress
Cameron Norrie (27) – Mackenzie McDonald: In Progress
Sebastian Korda – Alex de Minaur (6): In Progress
Novak Djokovic (3) – Kamil Majchrzak: 4-6, 6-1, 6-2
Aleksandar Kovacevic – Corentin Moutet (31): 6-4, 6-4
Francisco Cerundolo (19) – Benjamin Bonzi (Q): 6-4, 6-7, 7-6
Jack Draper (14) – Roberto Bautista Agut: 7-6, 6-3
Daniil Medvedev (11) – Alejandro Tabilo: Scheduled
Sebastian Baez – Jiri Lehecka (22): Scheduled
Ugo Humbert (32) – Alex Michelsen: Scheduled
Taylor Fritz (7) – Jakub Fearnley: Scheduled
Marton Fucsovics – Lorenzo Musetti (5): 7-5, 6-1
Arthur Fils (30) – Dino Prizmic (Q): 6-2, 2-2 [RET]
Gabriel Diallo – Andrey Rublev (17): 6-7, 7-6, 6-3
Felix Auger-Aliassime (9) – Gael Monfils (WC): 6-7, 6-3, 6-4
Flavio Cobolli (15) – Miomir Kecmanovic: 6-4, 6-3
Frances Tiafoe (21) – Jenson Brooksby: 6-4, 6-3
Brandon Nakashima (28) – Camilo Ugo Carabelli: 6-3, 6-4
Alexander Zverev (4) – Matteo Berrettini: 6-4, 7-5
Ben Shelton (8) – Reilly Opelka: 6-7, 7-6, 6-4
Learner Tien (25) – Adam Walton: 7-5, 6-4
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (18) – Zachary Svajda (WC): 7-6, 6-2
Jakub Mensik (12) – Marcos Giron: 7-5, 6-1
Joao Fonseca – Karen Khachanov (16): 4-6, 7-6, 7-6
Tommy Paul (23) – Zizou Bergs: 6-1, 6-3
Denis Shapovalov – Tomas Martin Etcheverry (29): 6-3, 3-6, 7-6
Jannik Sinner (2) – Dalibor Svrcina (Q): 6-1, 6-1
