World number 1 Novak Djokovic, returning to Indian Wells after five years, beat the Australian Aleksandar Vukic 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 in three sets.
Mobile on his legs, Vukic (69th in the rankings) nevertheless performed well against his prestigious opponent, also winning a set.
Among the favorites of the tennis tournament, the American Coco Gauff, world no. 3, came close to being eliminated against the French Clara Burel, who served the match at 5-3 in the last set, before losing on tie- break (2 -6, 6-3, 7-6).
Her compatriot Jessica Pegula, number 5 in the world, lost to the Russian Anna Blinkova (6-2, 3-6, 6-3).
The former Japanese world number 1 Naomi Osaka achieved the best victory since her return from maternity on the circuit in January, against her Russian Liudmila Samsonova (7-5, 6-3), 15th in the ranking
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