Novak Djokovic begins defence of Indian Wells title with win over Kyle Edmund

ByEurosport

Updated 13/03/2017 at 08:37 GMT

Novak Djokovic began his defence of the BNP Paribas Open title with a hard-fought second-round victory against Kyle Edmund.

World number two Djokovic - who has won the Indian Wells title five times, including in each of the last three years - won 6-4 7-6 (7/5) against the Briton.

The Serbian broke Edmund in the first game before seeing out the first set in 42 minutes but Edmund rallied in the second.

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The 22-year-old secured the first three games before Djokovic fought back to take the second set to a tie-break, which he ultimately won.

Djokovic - who benefited from a bye in round one - faces Juan Martin del Potro in the third round after the Argentinian beat his compatriot Federico Delbonis 7-6 (7/5) 6-3.

Roger Federer also made a safe passage into round three with a comfortable 6-2 6-1 triumph against France's Stephane Robert.

Novak Djokovic

Image credit: AFP

Federer, seeded ninth, won 79 per cent of his first service points to wrap up a straight-sets win in just 52 minutes.

The 35-year-old will face Steve Johnson in the third round after the American won 6-4 3-6 7-6 (7/4) against South Africa's Kevin Anderson.

Rafael Nadal made light work of Argentina's Guido Pella to secure a third-round tie against fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco.

Nadal won 6-3 6-2 while Verdasco was a 7-6 (7/5) 6-1 victor over France's Pierre-Hugues Herbert.

Sixth seed Marin Cilic crashed out, though, after American Taylor Fritz, ranked 136th in the world, fought back to triumph 4-6 7-5 6-4.

Rafael Nadal

Image credit: AFP

Japan's Kei Nishikori cruised to a 6-3 6-4 win against Great Britain's Dan Evans and Australian Nick Kyrgios also picked up a 6-3 6-4 victory over Horacio Zeballos.

World number 60 Donald Young was a surprise 6-3 3-6 6-3 winner against fellow American Sam Querrey while compatriot Jack Sock beat Switzerland's Henri Laaksonen 6-3 0-6 6-4.

There were also second-round wins for Malek Jaziri, Grigor Dimitrov, Lucas Pouille, Gilles Muller and Alexander Zverev.

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