• Indian Wells

Djokovic holds off Hanescu as Ward is beaten

ESPN staff
March 10, 2014
Novak Djokovic had a huge battle in the first set © Getty Images
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Novak Djokovic saved two set points en route to securing a win over Victor Hanescu, but Great Britain's James Ward suffered a final-set defeat to Feliciano Lopez at Indian Wells.

Djokovic, who comes to Indian Wells without a tournament win in 2014, fended off five break points in the opening set of his encounter, as well as two set points.

However, the world No.2 was able to dominate in the tiebreak to take it 7-1, which enabled him to clinch a 7-6(1) 6-2 victory in his opening encounter at the event.

"It's one of those days where you get to serve well and everything else is just kind of trying to find the way to play the right shots at the right time," Djokovic said.

"I didn't make any returns in in the first set. Second set I also struggled with the return, which is one of my better sides in the game generally speaking. It's the first match and it takes a little bit of time to get used to the center court. I haven't played on it this year".

British No.3 Ward failed to reach the last 32 despite taking the first set against Lopez, losing 3-6 6-2 6-4.

Ward, who was handed a lucky loser spot following the withdrawal of the injured Juan Martin del Potro, broke his opponent in the sixth game to go 4-2 in front, and went on to take the set on his third set point.

Lopez broke Ward for the first time in the match in the second set to go on and level the encounter, and his serve saved him in the decider as Ward was unable to convert his two break opportunities, with Lopez seeing off the Briton to reach the next round.

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