CAMELOT FANTASIES

BNP PARIBAS OPEN 2015 

Big Four Mean Big Drama For Indian Wells Draw

Indian Wells, U.S.A.

by ATP Staff
  | 10.03.2015
 


Defending champion Novak Djokovic is the top seed in the desert.

With the Big Four of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray claiming the top four seeds at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells for the first time since 2012, the 2015 draw is bound to pack some drama.

Four-time champion Federer and three-time champion Nadal are both in the bottom half, setting the stage for a potential 34th meeting between the two in the semi-finals. Fans could be in for an all-Swiss quarter-final, as Federer is on a crash course to meet countryman Stan Wawrinka. But first, Wawrinka may potentially need to top Tomas Berdych in the fourth round.

Buenos Aires champion Nadal will be back on the California hard courts after losing in last year's third round. He is slated to face No. 5 seed Milos Raonic in the quarter-finals.

In the top half of the draw, defending champion Novak Djokovic is on track to take on a hot David Ferrer in his quarter-final as the Serb attempts to capture his 50th career title. Andy Murray and World No. 5 Kei Nishikori are projected to take the last quarter-final spot.

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American John Isner, who reached the semi-finals last year (l. to Djokovic), may meet fellow big-server Kevin Anderson in the third round. If he wins, it could set up a rematch with Djokovic. World No. 11 Grigor Dimitrov and World No. 6 Milos Raonic are set for a potential fourth-round face off.

There are plenty of intriguing matchups to keep an eye on in the early rounds.

In his first tournament since the 2013 Winston-Salem Open, former World No. 7 Mardy Fish will play fellow American Ryan Harrison. The winner will meet Nishikori in the second round. Fish is returning to the tour after an extended absence due to heart issues.

Young Australians Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis will be big draws in the first round as they take on Denis Kudla and Jan-Lennard Struff, respectively. Kyrgios, 19, could be in for a blockbuster second-round match with Dimitrov should he advance.

Bernard Tomic is another Aussie who is looking to continue his strong start to the year, but he'll need to overcome eighth-seeded Ferrer in the third round. The winner of that match may face US Open champion and World No. 10 Marin Cilic, who will be making his debut this season after being sidelined by a shoulder injury.

Main draw play kicks of on Thursday, 12 February.