Novak Djokovic lost his patience with his team during a tricky match in Indian Wells, finding himself up against it despite leading Aleksandar Kovacevic by a set. The No. 3 seed never looked comfortable in the early stages of the match but managed to grab a crucial break and took the opener 6-4, constantly communicating with his team, including coach Boris Bosnjakovic.

The animated conversations continued into the second set, where Kovacevic came through a tight opening service game and saved a break point to go 1-0. As both players changed ends, Djokovic pointed over at his box and yelled across the court in Serbian so they could hear him.

“I don’t think it’s come of any surprise…” commentator Barry Cowan said of Djokovic’s mini outburst. “Kevin, I don’t speak Serbian, but you just sort of look at the dialogue with his coach, maybe it’s just something on the return.”

Kevin Skinner replied: “Suddenly, Boris is kind of quiet. Somebody who is pretty vocal throughout. But Novak has voiced his displeasure. On the whole, if he’s disappointed, the only way is up. And he’s already up a set.”

The only way wasn’t up in the second set, however, as Kovacevic then broke Djokovic for the first time to lead 2-0. The 24-time Major winner continued muttering at his box as he got broken. And he missed out on converting an immediate break-back point as the American widened the gap.

Things went from bad to worse for Djokovic in set two, as he sent a forehand wide to get broken for the second time, giving the world No 72 a 5-1 lead. “Novak of late here has had his struggles,” Skinner pointed out, referencing the Serb’s recent record here.

That was evident against Kovacevic, as the American raced through the second set to take it 6-1. Djokovic had been seen stretching his hip early in the set, and Cowan speculated whether it contributed to his decline.

“Djokovic’s level dropped. Was it a coincidence that it kind of coincided [with] when he started stretching his leg at the beginning of the set? You certainly expect a response. Lost the first serve really, Djokovic,” he said ahead of the decisive third set.

The world No. 3 did respond to start the final set, holding to love. “That almost felt like the best game we’ve seen so far today,” Cowan declared. He was made to work for it, but Djokovic ultimately ground out a 6-4 1-6 6-4 victory, reaching the last 16 here for the first time since 2017.