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Indian Wells: Novak Djokovic Makes A Winning Return; Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff Also Register Wins - In Pics

Novak Djokovic made a winning return to the desert, beating Aleksandar Vukic 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 on Saturday in his first match at the BNP Paribas Open in five years. The 24-time Grand Slam singles champion joined Rafael Nadal as the only players to win 400 matches in ATP Masters 1000 series events. The top-ranked Djokovic is a five-time champion at Indian Wells, tied with Roger Federer for most by a male, but hadn’t played in the event since 2019. Coco Gauff also won — barely — rallying just in time to avoid an early exit by edging Clara Burel 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4). No. 27 Victoria Azarenka, who won the event twice, was upset by American Caroline Dolehide 7-5, 2-6, 6-3. Emma Raducanu, the 2021 U.S. Open women’s champion, reached the third round when No. 30-seeded Dayana Yastremska had to retire after Raducanu had taken a 4-0 lead.

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Indian Wells: Novak Djokovic Makes A Winning Return; Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff Also Register Wins - In Pics
BNP Paribas Open Tennis Tournament Photo: AP/Mark J. Terrill

Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, celebrates after defeating Aleksandar Vukic, of Australia, at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, Calif.

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BNP Paribas Open Tennis Tournament
BNP Paribas Open Tennis Tournament Photo: AP/Mark J. Terrill
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Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, right, shakes hands with Aleksandar Vukic, of Australia, after defeating him at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, in Indian Wells, Calif.

2/11
BNP Paribas Open Tennis Tournament
BNP Paribas Open Tennis Tournament Photo: AP/Mark J. Terrill
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Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, returns to Aleksandar Vukic, of Australia, at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, Calif.

3/11
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BNP Paribas Open Tennis Tournament Photo: AP/Mark J. Terrill
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Aleksandar Vukic, of Australia, returns to Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, Calif.

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BNP Paribas Open Tennis Tournament Photo: AP/Ryan Sun
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Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, returns a shot against Peyton Stearns, of the United States, at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, Calif.

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BNP Paribas Open Tennis Tournament Photo: AP/Ryan Sun
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Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, reacts after losing a point against Peyton Stearns, of the United States, at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, Calif.

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BNP Paribas Open Tennis Tournament Photo: AP/Ryan Sun
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Peyton Stearns, of the United States, returns a shot against Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, Calif.

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BNP Paribas Open Tennis Tournament Photo: AP/Ryan Sun
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Peyton Stearns, of the United States, returns a shot against Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, Calif.

8/11
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BNP Paribas Open Tennis Tournament Photo: AP/Mark J. Terrill
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Coco Gauff, of the United States, celebrates after defeating Clara Burel, of France, at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, Calif.

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BNP Paribas Open Tennis Tournament Photo: AP/Mark J. Terrill
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Coco Gauff, of the United States, left, shakes hands with Clara Burel, of France, after defeating her at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, Calif.

10/11
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BNP Paribas Open Tennis Tournament Photo: AP/Mark J. Terrill
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Clara Burel, of France, returns to Coco Gauff, of the United States, at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, Calif.

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BNP Paribas Open Tennis Tournament Photo: AP/Mark J. Terrill
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Clara Burel, of France, returns to Coco Gauff, of the United States, at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, Calif.