Novak Djokovic off the mark, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Nick Kyrgios bundled out
World No 1 Novak Djokovic kicked off his campaign for a sixth BNP Paribas Open title with a straight-sets win, but there will be no match-up with Nick Kyrgios in the third around as the Australian crashed out.
Djokovic racked up his 50th win at Indian Wells as he secured a 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 victory over American Bjorn Fratangelo in one hour and 29 minutes.
“Credit to him. He played well and had nothing to lose. I thought his backhand was terrific, [he] was taking it on the rise,” Djokovic said.
“The first set was just hanging on to the ropes and trying to win that set. Then the second set, obviously with the first set under my belt, was slightly better. I ended the match in a positive fashion.”
50th victory in #TennisParadise!@DjokerNole downs a spirited Fratangelo 7-6(5) 6-2 to progress in Indian Wells#BNPPO19 pic.twitter.com/LhVkKrYvcc
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 10, 2019
Djokovic was initially tipped to face Mexican Open winner Kyrgios in the third round, but the Australian suffered a 6-4, 6-4 defeat at the hands of German Philipp Kohlschreiber.
“He’s an incredible competitor… I thought I didn’t play my best tennis today, but on certain points where I maybe had a little sniff or a little chance to get into the match, he came up with a really good shot to break me in the first set,” Kyrgios said.
“He’s just tough. He knows how to win tennis matches.”
Cool, calm and collected 😎
2018 quarter-finalist @Kohlscribbler defeats Kyrgios 6-4 6-4 to advance at #BNPPO19 pic.twitter.com/3YlhchNI9s
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 10, 2019
Ninth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas was also bundled out as the Greek was stunned by Felix Auger-Aliassime.
The Canadian teenager beat his fellow NextGen star 6-4, 6-2 to set up a clash against Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka, who beat Roberto Bautista Agut 7-6 (7-3), 6-4.
“I didn’t know what to expect today because he’s a completely different player (now),” Auger-Aliassime said.
“I believe in myself. I thought I had my chances. I served really well today, so that was obviously a big key.”
Rotterdam Open winner Gael Monfils battled to a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win over Leonardo Mayer, seventh seed Dominic Thiem beat Jordan Thompson 6-4, 7-5 and 40-year-old Ivo Karlovic upset 10th seed Borna Coric 6-4, 7-6 (7-2).
Up next for Karlovic is Prajnesh Gunneswaran after the Indian continued his fairytale run with a stunning 6-4, 6-7 (6-8), 7-6 (7-4) win over 17th seed Nikoloz Basilashvili.
Having made his ATP Masters 1000 debut earlier in the week, Gunneswaran now finds himself in the third round.
More from Tennis365:
Latest
-
Tennis News
Elena Rybakina addresses Roger Federer trait she shares and makes confession about Miami run
Elena Rybakina discussed the fact she shows…
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz candidly admits how Grigor Dimitrov made him feel in Miami masterclass
“I was talking to my team saying that I don’t know what I have to do. I don’t know his weakness.”
-
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz forced to accept brutal reality as he slumps to shock Miami Open defeat
Carlos Alcaraz could have no complaints as he was forced to accept the brutal reality that he was beaten by a better player.
-
Tennis News
Alexander Zverev just happy to be back competing against the best
Alexander Zverev has said that he savours being competitive in big tournaments.
-
Tennis News
WTA star announces that she is expecting a baby girl
Alison Riske-Amritraj will be having a daughter.
-
ATP Tour
Jannik Sinner breaks new ground for an Italian player with $20 million milestone
Jannik Sinner will become the first Italian player to bank $20 million in ATP Tour prize money after the Miami Open.
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz identifies key Grigor Dimitrov threat as he seeks revenge in Miami showdown
Carlos Alcaraz and Grigor Dimitrov have looked ahead to their Miami Open match.
-
WTA Tour
Charleston Open hand former No 1 wildcard to start her clay season
Wildcards were forthcoming for former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki, world No 13 Beatriz Haddad Maia, and Charleston-native Shelby Rogers.
-
Tennis News
Former world No 1 weighs in on Iga Swiatek’s ‘aura’ as he makes ‘intimidating’ claim
“The more accomplishments Iga Swiatek has, the more intimidating it is to play her.”
-
WTA Tour
Naomi Osaka’s clay swing fills out with Rouen wildcard
Naomi Osaka gets Rouen wildcard to kickstart her clay swing.