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FINALLast update 4:17 PM ET
End of the game:
Novak Djokovic! Another challenge overcome. This is the second time the Serbian has defeated his opponent in three sets. It's clear he's not at his best. Today he prevailed 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 against Kovacevic.
Key moments
Set 3: 5-4
Novak Djokovic is just one game away from the round of 16. Kovacevic needs to hold his serve if he wants to keep his hopes of advancing alive. It's time for the Serb to unleash his full repertoire and overcome this tough challenge.
Set 3: 4-4
Right to the end, Kovacevic isn't letting the pressure get to him and is living his dream to the fullest. The score is now 4-4. The American seems convinced he can win today. So Djokovic is in for a tough time.
Set 3: 4-3
The moment has arrived for Novak Djokovic. The Serb has just taken a 4-3 lead and in his opponent's next game, he'll have the chance to break serve and serve for the match. The American faces the difficult challenge of staying in the game.
Set 3: 3-3
It's 3-3. No news in this third set. The match has become very difficult for Novak Djokovic; the Serb has improved his serve, but his opponent is winning a high percentage of points on his first and second serves.
Set 3: 3-2
Djokovic holds serve and takes a 3-2 lead. Kovacevic hasn't been able to put any pressure on the Serb. Novak looks happy and very comfortable; he feels and knows that at any moment, the match could turn in his favor.
Set 3: 2-2
The games are getting increasingly intense; both players have had chances to break their opponent's serve. Whoever is more aggressive with their return and holds serve will be the winner today.
Set 3: 1-1
Djokovic had chances to break his opponent's serve, but the American has been very solid on his own serve. This has allowed him to level the score and play neck and neck with Novak. The match is incredibly close.
Set 3: 1-0
Djokovic shakes himself off a bit and wins the first service game of the third set. It was a key moment; the Serb needed to break his opponent's streak to ease the tension and prevent him from becoming overconfident.
Second set: Aleksandar Kovacevic (6-1)
In 36 minutes, Aleksandar Kovacevic took the second set 6-1. The American played one of the best sets of his career. His level was overwhelming and intense. Djokovic needs to improve significantly to win the match.
Set 2: 1-5
Kovacevic! He broke serve for the second time in the match and will serve for the second set. The American has pushed the Serb to the limit, to the point where he looks very unwell physically. An interesting end to the first set!
Set 2: 1-4
Novak Djokovic hasn't been able to get back on his feet; he's trying, but his opponent is solid. The American has gradually been on his way to winning the set. The Serb needs to get into the rhythm and match the pace Kovacevic set.
Set 2: 0-3
Break confirmed. Kovacevic goes up 3-0. The American is dominating the match right now. Djokovic is constantly looking to his coach for answers and a way to turn the score around.
Set 2: 0-2
Kovacevic broke Novak Djokovic's serve. After struggling and surviving his service game, the American gained confidence and went up 2-0. The Serb needs to get back into the match.
Set 2: 0-1
After 12 minutes of the first game in the second set, Kovacevic took it. Djokovic had several break point opportunities, but couldn't capitalize on them. The Serb's superiority was evident, considering his opponent's level.
First set: Novak Djokovic (6-4)
Former world number one Novak Djokovic took the first set. In just over 30 minutes, the Serbian comfortably defeated his opponent. Kovacevic had his chances early in the match, but couldn't capitalize on them.
Set 1: 5-3
Novak Djokovic is just one game away from winning the first set. The Serb is up 5-3. Kovacevic will need to improve his return game to extend the first set. Decisive moments.
Set 1: 4-3
Kovacevic has a fairly clear problem. His serve has improved, giving Djokovic few opportunities to break it again. But when returning, he's struggling to win points on the Serb's first and second serves.
Set 1: 4-2
Djokovic has been steadily gaining confidence with his serve. It's becoming increasingly difficult for the American to recover from a break. Novak looks much more relaxed than in the previous match. His physical condition has clearly improved.
Set 1: 3-2
Good serving for the American. We're up 3-2. Let's hope this is the start, that he gets into the rhythm of the match and can come back against Djokovic. The advantage is only one break, and his opponent isn't at his best.
Set 1: 3-1
A comfortable service game and a confirmed break. The Serb is now winning 3-1. The match is proceeding normally and without incident for Djokovic. Kovacevic started very well, but fell behind as his opponent imposed his rhythm.
Set 1: 2-1
Novak Djokovic breaks serve. The Serb capitalizes on his opponent's shaky serve and takes the first lead of the match. He goes up 2-1. The American will need to break back quickly to have a chance of winning the set.
Set 1: 1-1
Djokovic saved a break point. The Serb managed to recover and win the game. We're now at 1-1. The American will need to be aggressive and attentive to any advantages Novak gives him. The details will be key.
Set 1: 0-1
Kovacevic started by adding to his score. It's very important that the American maintains his serve, so he can return with more confidence. Djokovic must be alert and apply pressure at key moments.
The game started:
Novak Djokovic will be looking to qualify for the round of 16 at Indian Wells 2026. The Serbian didn't have a good debut and struggled a lot, so he'll have to raise his level if he wants a chance of winning today.
Djokovic played 1 match while Kovacevic competed in 2 matches. At the moment, Novak Djokovic lost 1 set while Aleksandar Kovacevic hasn’t lost a set so far. Djokovic has played 1 set(s) less than Kovacevic (3 vs 4). Therefore, Djokovic played 18 games less than Kovacevic. Djokovic scored 42 winners (42% of the total points). On the other side, Aleksandar bagged 74 winners (47%).
About the serving games, Kovacevic managed to score 2 aces and he was quite solid in conceding no double faults for the entire match. Aleksandar Kovacevic was very effective on serve to win 71% (30/42) of his 1st serve and 52% (14/27) on the second serve. This was the main reason for not conceding a single break during the match. Kovacevic broke Moutet 3 times after converting 50% of his break points (3/6).
Regarding the service games, Djokovic fired 5 aces and he committed only 5 double faults. Novak Djokovic lost the serve twice and he saved 3 break points. Furthermore, Djokovic put 67% of his first serves in, winning 78% (42/54) of the points behind his 1st serve and 44% (12/27) on the 2nd serve. Djokovic broke Majchrzak 5 times after converting 31% of his break points (5/16).
- His opponent, A. Kovacevic, also plays right-handed and stands at 1.83m tall, bringing in a different energy to the court at 27 years old.
- Although Kovacevic currently holds the 72nd position in the table with notable points, he faces a tough challenge against the experienced Djokovic.
- N. Djokovic, the seasoned right-handed player standing at 1.88m tall, currently ranks at an impressive 3rd position in the ATP table.
- With an outstanding career high position and a 90% win rate in the last 10 matches, Djokovic's prowess is undeniable.
Novak Djokovic
- Djokovic has a 6-1 win-loss record in the 2026 season
- Djokovic has a 52-11 win-loss record at Indian Wells
- Djokovic has won 84% of matches played on hard courts
Aleksandar Kovacevic
- Majchrzak has a 9-8 win-loss record in the 2026 season
- Majchrzak has a 2-4 win-loss record at Indian Wells
- Majchrzak has won 57% of matches played on hard courts
- Novak Djokovic has a 6-1 record in 2026, he played all matches on hard. Regarding the previous 23 years, Novak has a 568-96 record on hard. The Serbian’s best result of the year was reaching the final at the Australian Open .
- Last year in BNP Paribas Open Novak lost to Botic Van De Zandschulp in the 2nd round 6-2 3-6 6-1.
- Kovacevic is 16-22 in 21 tournaments on hard courts over the past year.
- Kovacevic has finished 405-for-498 in service games on hard courts (81.3% winning percentage), and 81-for-499 in return games (16.2%).
- On hard courts Kovacevic is 58-for-196 on break points, 29.6%, which ranks 61st.
- Kovacevic suffered defeat in the Round of 16 of his last tournament (the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC) on February 25, when he lost 4-6, 6-3, 6-7 to Frances Tiafoe.
- On hard courts over the past year, Djokovic has gone 24-4 and has won one title.
- On hard courts over the past 12 months, Djokovic has won 85.2% of his service games and 29.4% of his return games.
- Djokovic has converted 89 of 199 break points on hard courts (44.7%) over the past 12 months and is 21st in break points won.
French Open (2023) - First round: Djokovic wins 6-3 6-2 7-6 (7-1)
- The only previous meeting between these two took place at Roland Garros, when Djokovic last conquered the clay surface at the French Open and won the title in 2023.
- When he faced Kovacevic early on that year, the Serbian won 82% of his first serves while converting five of his break-point opportunities to claim a relatively comfortable victory.
Tournament so far
Novak Djokovic:
- First round: Bye
- Second round: vs. Kamil Majchrzak 4-6 6-1 6-2
Aleksandar Kovacevic:
- First round: vs. Hubert Hurkacz 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-4)
- Second round: vs. Corentin Moutet 6-1 6-4
Kovacevic, meanwhile, has impressed throughout the early rounds in the California desert. The American opened his tournament with a strong performance against Hubert Hurkacz, winning 7–6(6), 7–6(4) in a tightly contested match decided by two tiebreaks. He followed that with a convincing 6–1, 6–4 victory over Corentin Moutet to reach the third round.
