INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Novak Djokovic opened his bid for a third straight BNP Paribas Open title Sunday night by surviving an unexpected challenge from American qualifier Bjorn Fratangelo, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2.
"All credit to Bjorn on playing a great match, but I wasn't feeling comfortable at all on the court," the top-ranked Djokovic said after extending his winning streak at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden to 12 matches. "I was just trying to find a way, trying to hang in there and make it through."
The 22-year-old Fratangelo was the French Open boys' champion in 2011 and turned pro in 2012, but has been playing almost exclusively on the satellite tours.