Djokovic
Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns the ball to Feliciano Lopez of Spain during their match at the ATP Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships February 25, 2016. Reuters/Ahmed Jadallah

Novak Djokovic and Feliciano Lopez will resume their postponed battle from Dubai last month when they meet in the Round of 16 of Indian Wells in California.

Djokovic suffered his only loss of the season during the Dubai Tennis Championships against Lopez in February after retiring hurt form the match due to an eye problem. The world No. 1, who bids for a record fifth Indian Wells title, will have a chance to avenge his defeat when he meets Lopez in the fourth round of the first ATP 1000 Masters event of the year.

Djokovic, who is now 43-6 in Indian Wells, beat Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber in the third round of the tournament, but was again tested for the second time at Indian Wells. The 28-year-old Serb says he needs to take care of dropped serves, but admitted it would help him in his next match.

"I cannot allow myself any more to react that way in those particular circumstances," Djokovic said, reports ESPN. "It does stay [in your mind]. But it's not the first time that it happens to me, so I think that kind of experience helps."

Lopez, on the other hand, advanced to the next stage after defeating compatriot Roberto Bautista Agut in a thrilling match 7-6(5) 6-7(10) 6-4. Lopez was up a set before Djokovic retired hurt at the Dubai Tennis Championships, but it could be a different story with Djoker back in full health.

Djokovic and Lopez could book a quarterfinal clash against either Austria’s Dominic Thiem or Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who battle in the other half of the bracket. Thiem beat USA’s Jack Sock 7-5 6-7(5) 6-1, while Tsonga defeated Sam Querrey 6-3 6-4.

Live streaming info and score updates

Watch the Indian Wells 2016 live via ATP’s official website or TennisTV. Live scores for matches will be available on game days via ATP's official website.

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