INDIAN WELLS: World number one Novak Djokovic booked his third round spot in the Indian Wells hardcourt tennis tournament Sunday, fending off Bjorn Fratangelo in three sets, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2.
“I started awful,” Djokovic said. “I just tried to win by using my experience and playing tougher in the key moments.”
The defending two-time champ Djokovic has now won 12 consecutive matches in Indian Wells and is trying to become the first player in tournament history to claim five titles.
The reigning Australian Open champion Djokovic is hoping to use Indian Wells as a stepping stone as he seeks to win his first French Open in two months and complete the career Grand Slam.
Djokovic is coming off a year where he won 11 titles, including the Australian Open, Wimbledon, US Open. He lost in the final at the French Open.
“Obviously 2015 was a remarkable year,” he said. “It will be a big challenge to repeat what I have done. Why not?”
Under windy conditions Sunday, Djokovic won 78 percent of his first serve points, made three double faults and had his serve broken three times, including twice in the first three games against Fratangelo.
He returned the favour in the deciding third set by breaking world No. 149 Fratangelo in games one, five and seven and then capping of the match with his eighth ace.
“The fifth game in the third set was the deciding one,” he said. “I played more aggressive.”
Djokovic next faces German Philipp Kohlschreiber who swept past Denis Kudla 6-0, 6-1.
