Djokovic wins twice in one day, Alcaraz stages comeback, Mira loses and curses, Pegula faces nemesis

Three minutes a day, know all tennis news. Hello tennis fans, today is Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Welcome to the News Midday Report provided by "Tennis Home".

This morning Beijing time, the ATP1000 Indian Wells Masters continued with singles third-round matches. In a key match concluded early morning, the third seed and five-time tournament champion Novak Djokovic unexpectedly suffered a 'bagel' in the second set but ultimately defeated local rising star Kovacevic 6-4, 1-6, 6-4, maintaining a perfect two-match record against him and advancing to the round of 16 after eight years.

Next, the Serbian king will compete with defending champion Draper for a quarter-final spot. Draper defeated Argentine star F. Cerundolo 6-1, 7-5, securing an eight-match winning streak at this event. The eagerly anticipated "Djokovic vs. Draper" showdown is here!

Other matches: Norwegian top player Ruud reversed Monaco's Vachero 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, winning a master-level duel; American rising star Mickelson upset former champion and compatriot Fritz 6-4, 7-6(6); British player Norrie defeated sixth seed De Minaur 6-4, 6-4, also creating a minor upset; Australian qualifier Tsuchihashi reversed tenth seed Bublik 6-7(3), 7-6(3), 6-3, winning their first encounter.

In a key third-round match the previous day, Brazilian rising star Fonseca was in hot form, sweeping local star Tommy Paul 6-2, 6-3, entering his first Masters round of 16. Next, he will challenge second seed and world No. 2 Sinner.

In another key match concluded midday, top seed and world No. 1 Alcaraz, despite losing the first-set tiebreak 6-8, rallied strongly to win 6-3, 6-2, reversing French player Lindeknecht. Next, he will compete with Ruud for a quarter-final spot.

Doubles court: In a first-round match, wildcard entrants Djokovic/Sitsipas defeated third seeds Arevalo/Pavic 6-3, 6-2, advancing smoothly, giving Djokovic two wins in one day. In the second round, they will face the cousin duo Lindeknecht/Vachero. Meanwhile, Sinner/Opelka lost to top seeds Granollers/Zeballos 4-6, 4-6, stopping in the first round.

Turning to the women's court. In the WTA1000 Indian Wells singles third-round matches this morning Beijing time, second seed and two-time champion Swiatek performed steadily, defeating Greek top player Sakkari 6-3, 6-2, successfully avenging her recent Doha loss, reaching the round of 16 here for the sixth consecutive year. Next, she will compete with Czech star Muchova for a quarter-final spot; Muchova swept Croatian player Ruzic 6-0, 6-3.

Ninth seed Svitolina eliminated American Kruger 6-4, 6-2, advancing to the round of 16 to face Czech player Siniakova, who came from behind to defeat eighth seed and defending champion Mira Andreeva 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-3. After losing, young Mira lost control of her emotions, angrily smashing her racket and cursing "Fuck you all" to the stands while leaving, receiving boos from the audience.

Twelfth seed Bencic defeated Belgian player Mertens 6-2, 6-3, and will meet local star Pegula next round; Pegula reversed Latvian star Ostapenko 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Bencic is considered Pegula's nemesis, having won all four previous encounters. Can Pegula turn the tables this time?

Doubles court: In a key second-round match, Chinese golden flower duo Xu Yifan/Yang Zhaoxuan were eliminated by top seeds Errani/Borini 6-2, 7-5, failing to advance.

Finally, a guess and recognition game. The image below shows a player walking off court with her backpack. Without hints, can you recognize who she is?

Last edition's guess, fans provided the correct answer. Yes, the person in the image is women's singles world No. 1 Sabalenka.

(Source: Tennis Home Author: Maverick)