BNP Paribas Open Indian Wells 2015: Intriguing Match-Ups For Tennis’ Big Four

The draw for the men’s singles event at the 2015 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells has been announced. Tennis’ big four Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray headline the draw in the 40^th edition of the men’s singles event of the tournament which takes place from March 9 to March 22. The top 32 seeds have all received a bye into the first round. Here, we breakdown the intriguing match-ups for tennis’ top stars.

Djokovic is the defending champion and is drawn in the top half alongside Murray, Kei Nishikori, and David Ferrer. Djokovic will begin his campaign in the tournament against the winner of Marcos Baghdatis and Jiri Vesely match, while Murray could face either Canada’s Vasek Pospisil or Mikhail Kukushin in the second round. A potential quarterfinals meeting against Ferrer looms for the Serbian athlete in his bid to win his fifth title.

Murray could face Nishikori, who is in the opposite side of his section, in the quarterfinals. If both Djokovic and Murray triumph in their early round matches, the two could play in the semifinals, which will be a rematch of the Australian Open final.

Federer and Nadal are drawn on the bottom half of the draw. The 17-time Swiss grand slam champion could play Andreas Seppi in the third round. Seppi upset Federer in the third round of the Australian Open in January. Federer could also face compatriot Stan Wawrinka and Nadal in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively. Four-time Indian Wells champion Federer will play either the Diego Schwartzman or Jerzy Janowicz in his first match.

Nadal, who is a three-time champion, will play Igor Sijsling or a qualifier in second round. Nadal could meet 13^th seed Gilles Simon in the fourth round and a potential quarterfinals clash with Milos Raonic.

Aussies Set For Indian Wells

Young Aussie guns Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios will play their first round match against Jan-Lennard Struff and Denis Kudla, respectively. Should Kokkinakis advance, he will face 23^rd seed Guillermo Garcia-Lopez. Kyrgios, on the other hand, could meet 11^th seed Grigor Dimitrov next. It will Kyrgios’ first tournament since making the Australian Open quarterfinals in January.

Australian No. 1 Bernard Tomic could play either a qualifier or Andreas Haider-Maurer in the second round. He could meet Ferrer, who has won his last 10 matches, in the third round. For the complete draw, visit ATPWorldTour.com.

Seeds

1. Novak Djokovic

2. Roger Federer

3. Rafael Nadal

4. Andy Murray

5. Kei Nishikori

6. Milos Raonic

7. Stan Wawrinka

8. David Ferrer

9. Tomas Berdych

10. Marin Cilic

11. Grigor Dimitrov