An unlikely pairing that clicked instantly
It was a shock on paper. Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas — guys who usually rip into each other in big finals — were suddenly on the same side of the net at Indian Wells.
From the very first rallies on the Stadium, the chemistry was obvious.
Facing defending champions Mate Pavić and Marcelo Arévalo, the tournament’s No. 3 seeds, the Serb and the Greek put on a tight, ruthless display. The scoreline said it all: 6-3, 6-2.
A dominant opening against one of the tour’s most feared pairs.
Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas take the first set against #3 seed doubles specialist Pavic/Arevalo pic.twitter.com/eliFflEBbM
— asud (@asud683385) March 10, 2026
A win that was no fluke
Beating Pavić and Arévalo is no small feat. For seasons the Croat and the Salvadoran have been one of the tour’s top doubles teams.
Their balance, experience and deadly net game make them a real handful.
Still, Djokovic and Tsitsipas grabbed control early. Big serves, aggressive returns, constant chatter — the two singles stars showed they can be lethal in doubles too.
Few pairs can claim to have bossed the defending champions like that.
Round of 16 up next
Their Indian Wells run isn’t over.
Less than 24 hours after that statement win, Djokovic and Tsitsipas will be back on court for the round of 16.
Waiting for them: Arthur Rinderknech and Valentin Vacherot — a pair that knows the tour.
The match is set for tomorrow at 14:30 local time on Stadium 2 at Indian Wells.
Another chance for this unlikely duo to prove they’re not just a one-off.
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