Daniil Medvedev beat Tomas Machac 6-3, 6-2 on Saturday in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open, the Russian's first tournament since ascending to No. 1 in the world.
Medvedev made quick work of his Czech opponent, finishing Machac off in just over an hour. The Russian won 80 per cent of his first-serve points and saved the lone break point he faced.
Rafael Nadal didn't have it as easy in opening his pursuit of a fourth title at Indian Wells. He got pushed to the limit by practice partner Sebastian Korda before winning 6-2, 1-6, 7-6 (3), giving Nadal a 16-0 record this year.
"I started to play a little bit more crosscourt with my forehand and with having a little bit more of calm," Nadal said. "He made a couple mistakes and I was able to save myself."
Nadal trailed 5-2 in the third set before winning four straight games with two breaks of Korda to take a 6-5 lead. Korda held at 6-all to force the tiebreaker. The 38th-ranked Korda led 3-2 and then Nadal reeled off five straight points to close out the 2 1/2-hour match.
"He's one of the greatest players of all time. He's super hot. Hasn't lost a match this year," Korda said. "To kind of push him to the edge was awesome. Shows a lot of my game, how dangerous it can be against tough opponents."
Earlier this week, Medvedev received a trophy commemorating his status atop the ATP Tour rankings. He displaced Djokovic, who wasn't allowed to enter the U.S. to play because he's not vaccinated against COVID-19.
Medvedev has to reach the quarter-finals in the desert to stay in the top spot.
"If I'm going to lose it because I'm either going to play a bad match or my opponent is going to play an amazing one, there is the next tournament in Miami," he said. "That's how tennis is,
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