Novak Djokovic defeats in-form Marin Cilic to advance at Indian Wells

World number two Novak Djokovic avoided elimination in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open 2014 in Indian Wells on Wednesday night after the Serbian star eliminated in-form Marin Cilic of Croatia 1-6, 6-2, 6-3. The match lasted one hour and 45 minutes.

“I was composed and mentally calm, regardless of the score line,” said Djokovic. “I just accepted the fact that he came out of the blocks better than I did. He was very aggressive, not missing at all, serving incredibly fast and accurate. I couldn’t do much really. I was forced to back up.

“I believed that I could come back. The second set was a whole new story. I reset myself and told myself it was the start of the match. I forgot about the first set and the second and third went really well. It was the intensity I want to have and I hope to keep it up.”

Djokovic maintained a perfect 8-0 head to head series against Cilic. The Croatian became the first player on tour to win 20 matches this season.

Up next for Djokovic is unseeded French player Julien Benneteau in the quarterfinals. The latter defeated Feliciano Lopez of Spain 6-3, 7-6.

Djokovic and eighth-ranked Roger Federer are the two remaining top 10 players in the draw.

“You have to accept the fact that everybody’s improving,” Djokovic said. “They all want to get better and win against you as a top player. That’s another reason to train hard, to get yourself better and compete with these guys. It’s hard at the moment for any top player to stay up there. I’m aware of what’s going on. On a positive note, it’s good for the sport, to have different faces winning major tournaments.”

Djokovic is aiming to win the Indian Wells title for the third time while Federer is aiming for a fifth trophy at this ATP Masters 1000 event.