Novak Djokovic beat Bjorn Fratangelo 7-6 (5), 6-2 to open his pursuit of a record sixth title at the BNP Paribas Open on Saturday.

It was Djokovic’s 50th match win at the desert tournament, his highest total at any ATP Masters 1000 event.

The world’s top-ranked player needed one-and-a-half hours to beat the American and improve to 11-1 on the season. Afterward, Djokovic went over to greet former No1 Pete Sampras, who sat courtside.