British number one Jack Draper battled back from a set loss to make a winning start to his Indian Wells title defense after feeling “a bit under-prepared” after eight months out due to injury.
Fellow Briton Sonai Kartar also won in the women’s singles, beating 20th seed Emma Navarro after facing match point earlier.
For Draper, an early break of serve in the third set gave the 24-year-old a vital advantage as he defeated Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut 3-6 6-3 6-2 to reach the third round.
Draper, who only returned to the ATP Tour last week after being sidelined with a bone injury in his left serving arm, received a bye in the first round, but he fought back at the start of the second set.
The world No. 14 carried that momentum into the third set, building a 5-2 lead.
A determined Bautista Agut looked set to get back on serve but Draper was not to be denied and he rallied impressively to save three break points and claim victory.
“It’s great to be back where I have great memories,” he said in an interview with Sky Sports on the court.
But he added: “At the same time, because I missed a lot of tennis, I was a little underprepared.
“I faced a very strong opponent today. The first set was a bit nervous, but then I managed to find a little spark.”
