As Novak Djokovic sets his sights on a sixth Indian Wells title, his first since 2016, he may find himself pitted against Nick Kyrgios, the Australian contender who is making a comeback after an arduous start to the season. Djokovic’s quest for reclaiming his dominion in the Tennis Paradise will demand nothing short of his best, right from the outset.
The Serbian superstar is likely to commence his campaign against either a qualifier or Kyrgios. The prospective match-up against Kyrgios is eagerly anticipated, given their past encounters. The two tennis titans began the season in Brisbane with an exhilarating match, potentially setting the stage for their fourth singles face-off, and first since the 2022 Wimbledon final. This also could mark their second clash in Indian Wells, a rematch eight years in the making.
In 2017, Djokovic and Kyrgios ignited a swift rivalry, clashing in both Acapulco and Indian Wells. In both instances, Kyrgios delivered a surprising defeat to Djokovic. The Australian ace ousted Djokovic, then a three-time defending champion, with a 6-4, 7-6 victory in a gripping match lasting one hour and 52 minutes, securing his spot in the quarter-final.
The match was fiercely contested, with Kyrgios outplaying Djokovic in critical moments, marking Djokovic’s first Indian Wells defeat since 2013. Displaying impeccable service, Kyrgios scored 43% of points on his first serve, successfully keeping break points at bay and maintaining pressure on his opponent. Despite Djokovic’s valiant efforts, he failed to turn the tide in his favor, succumbing to a loss despite denying four of five break points.
Kyrgios demonstrated remarkable control over his strokes, firing 25 winners and committing 19 unforced errors. Djokovic, on the other hand, couldn’t keep up with Kyrgios’s tempo, his backhand faltering considerably compared to his previous match against Juan Martin del Potro. Although Djokovic managed to gain a slight advantage in mid-range exchanges, Kyrgios counterbalanced this in the shortest rallies, eventually emerging victorious.
The match commenced with Djokovic committing a costly error, conceding a break in the initial game. Kyrgios, seizing his opportunity, landed an ace in the second game, taking an early 2-0 lead. He further widened the gap to 3-1 in the fourth game, capitalizing on Djokovic’s mistakes.
As the match progressed, Kyrgios held his serve with an ace in the sixth game, missing a break opportunity in the following game. Djokovic’s struggles with his backhand continued, leading to a 5-3 deficit. Kyrgios, displaying his prowess, ended the first set 6-4 with a powerful serve.
The second set saw Djokovic improve his serving, but Kyrgios matched his rival’s pace. With a slew of unreturned serves and aces, Kyrgios kept the drama alive. Notwithstanding Djokovic’s sole deuce on return at 5-4, Kyrgios maintained his composure, landing two winners to secure the game.
Kyrgios’s momentum continued into the tie-break, where Djokovic faltered, misfiring a backhand slice to concede a mini-break. Kyrgios’s service winners, coupled with Djokovic’s errors, handed him four match points. Capitalizing on his second match point with a service winner, Kyrgios clinched the victory, marking his second triumph over Djokovic in a matter of weeks.
As Djokovic aims for a successful comeback at Indian Wells, a potential rematch with Kyrgios promises an electrifying spectacle. The question remains: who will emerge victorious in this desert duel?