INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Novak Djokovic opened his bid for a third consecutive BNP Paribas Open title Sunday night by surviving an unexpected challenge from the 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.”
Fratangelo, 22, was the French Open boys’ champion in 2011, and he turned professional in 2012, but he has been playing almost exclusively on the satellite tours.