Djokovic books clash with Cilic

INDIAN WELLS, United States — Novak Djokovic shook off a midmatch lapse to beat Alejandro Gonzalez on Tuesday and set up a clash with red- hot Croatian Marin Cilic at the Indian Wells hardcourt tennis tournament.

Djokovic, the world number two and second seed, defeated world number 91 Gonzalez 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, but said he'll have to play better in the fourth round against Cilic.

"I thought I played really well from the start," said Djokovic, who lifted the trophy in the California desert in 2008 and 2011. " Then suddenly I just had a big loss of concentration and allowed him to win the second set for no reason."

Djokovic appeared to be cruising toward a win until a sloppy spell late in the second set saw Gonzalez break for a 5-3 lead and win the next game to bring the match level.

Djokovic regained control with a demoralizing break in the second game of the third set, in which Gonzalez had nine game points before the Serbian star converted his first break chance.

" In the end of the day, a win is a win," Djokovic said. "I have to try to look on the positive side and get myself ready for the next one."

Djokovic, 26, is seeking to jump-start a 2014 campaign that is off to a slow start.

His bid for a fourth straight Australian Open title ended in a quarter-final loss to eventual champion Stanislas Wawrinka, and he fell to Roger Federer in the semi-finals at Dubai in his only other tournament this year.