Djokovic ends five-year absence with difficult win

Novak Djokovic struggled to a winning comeback at the ATP-WTA Indian Wells Masters five years after his last appearance, defeating Aleksandar Vukic 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

World number one Djokovic, who had not played since losing an Australian Open semifinal to Jannik Sinner on January 26, is chasing a sixth title at the desert venue in the season’s first Masters event.

The 36-year-old Serb captured the 400th Masterslevel victory of his career, joining Rafael Nadal as the only men to reach the 400 milestone at the elite level.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion has won his last 11 Masters matches, collecting titles last season in Cincinnati and Paris Bercy.

In the women’s draw, third seed Coco Gauff rallied from four games down in the final set to defeat France’s Clara Burel 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4).

Former number one Naomi Osaka continued her comeback after motherhood as she reached the third round with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Liudmila Samsonova.

Djokovic claimed the opening set in 35 minutes with two service breaks but had to come from a break down in the third against his 69th-ranked Australian opponent.

Vukic held to 6-5 in the second set and landed a reflex service return winner on the line to square the match at a set each.

In the third set, top seed Djokovic broke for a 3-2 edge and closed out victory with a second break after just over two hours, notching his 51st win at the tournament where he first competed in 2006.

“It was difficult to go through him. He played amazing,” Djokovic said of Vukic. “He was ripping his forehand and crushing his serve.

“In the third set I managed to crack the code. I stepped it up and finished the match in great style.”

Danish seventh seed Holger Rune was handed a free ride into the third round when former Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic of Canada pulled out of their match with an injury.

US 12th seed Taylor Fritz, the 2022 winner, dispatched Alejandro Tabilo of Chile 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 in 73 minutes, pumping out 14 aces among his 27 winners.