By Tony FairbairnCarlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner headline red-hot Indian Wells field as Jack Draper aims to defend titleTop Seeds: Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Alexander ZverevBritish Interest: Jack Draper [14], Cameron Norrie [27], Jacob FearnleyINDIAN WELLS, USA – Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner headline the first Masters 1000 event of the season with Jack Draper defending his title.

 

 

Best Result: Champion (2023, 2024)  

After completing the career Grand Slam in Melbourne, Alcaraz is aiming to continue his red-hot form in California as he bids for a third title in four years.

Alcaraz’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)

R1: BYE | H2H: N/AR2: Grigor Dimitrov | H2H: Alcaraz leads 4-2R3: Arthur Rinderknech [25] | H2H: Alcaraz leads 5-0R4: Casper Ruud [13] | H2H: Alcaraz leads 5-1QF: Alex De Minaur [6] | H2H: Alcaraz leads 6-0SF: Novak Djokovic [3] | H2H: Tied at 5-5F: Jannik Sinner [2] | H2H: Alcaraz leads 10-6

A testing opener awaits for Alcaraz as he will either play Grigor Dimitrov or talented Frenchman Terence Atmane. In the third round Alcaraz is expected to have a Doha rematch with Arthur Rinderknech before facing either Casper Ruud or Valentin Vacherot in the last 16. A quarter-final against Alex De Minaur is likely although Alexander Bublik will be hoping to cause a few surprises in the draw. This is a good draw for Alcaraz should he overcome a potentially awkward first two matches as the Spaniard aims for a third title this season and also at Indian Wells.

 

Best Result: Semi-Final (2023, 2024)   

Sinner will be hoping that this year is the year that he can finally win the Indian Wells title after falling at the semi-final stage for his last two appearances in California.

Sinner’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)

R1: BYE | H2H: N/AR2: James Duckworth | H2H: Sinner leads 3-1R3: Tomas Martin Etcheverry [29] | H2H: Sinner leads 2-0R4: Karen Khachanov [16] | H2H: Sinner leads 4-1QF: Ben Shelton [8] | H2H: Sinner leads 9-1SF: Alexander Zverev [4] | H2H: Sinner leads 6-4F: Carlos Alcaraz [1] | H2H: Alcaraz leads 10-6

Sinner has a similar draw to the one he had in Melbourne as he could open up his campaign against James Duckworth. One of Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Stefanos Tsitsipas or Denis Shapovalov could await Sinner in the third round before a fourth round showdown with Karen Khachanov. In the quarter-finals, Ben Shelton, Learner Tien or the in-form Jakub Mensik could await in what is a stacked section of the draw. The Italian would have preferred an easier route to the final but Sinner should have enough consistent quality to reach the latter stages of the tournament as he looks for a first title of the season.

 

 

Best Result: Champion (2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016)   

After early in his exits in his last two appearances, Djokovic will be aiming for a better campaign in California this time as he targets a sixth Indian Wells title.

Djokovic’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)

R1: BYE | H2H: N/AR2: Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard | H2H: First MeetingR3: Corentin Moutet [31] | H2H: Djokovic leads 3-0R4: Jack Draper [14] | H2H: Djokovic leads 1-0QF: Taylor Fritz [7] | H2H: Djokovic leads 11-0SF: Carlos Alcaraz [1] | H2H: Tied at 5-5F: Jannik Sinner [2] | H2H: Sinner leads 6-5

It’s a testing start for Djokovic at Indian Wells as the Serb could face Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the opening round before potentially facing the awkward game of Corentin Moutet in the third round. In the last 16, Djokovic could face defending champion Jack Draper before a quarter-final showdown with Taylor Fritz. It’s a tough start for Djokovic but if the Serb can overcome that then he has another chance to prove that he can still win a Masters 1000 title with the likes of the world’s top two standing in his way.

 

Best Result: Quarter-Final (2021, 2024)       

After a devastating five set defeat in Melbourne, Zverev looks to bounce back at Indian Wells and reach the semi-finals in California for the first time in his career.

Zverev’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)

R1: BYE | H2H: N/AR2: Adrian Mannarino | H2H: Zverev leads 9-0R3: Brandon Nakashima [28] | H2H: Zverev leads 5-0R4: Flavio Cobolli [15] | H2H: Zverev leads 2-0QF: Lorenzo Musetti [5] | H2H: Musetti leads 3-2SF: Jannik Sinner [2] | H2H: Sinner leads 6-4F: Carlos Alcaraz [1] | H2H: Alcaraz leads 7-6

A tricky start awaits Zverev with either Adrian Mannarino or Matteo Berrettini awaiting him in the opening round. In the third round, Brandon Nakashima could be his nemesis while Acapulco champion Flavio Cobolli is likely to await in the fourth round. The toughest test for the German in his bid for a first Indian Wells semi-final will be Lorenzo Musetti in the quarter-finals although Felix Auger-Aliassime and Andrey Rublev could also be waiting. It will be tough for Zverev to mount a serious title charge at Indian Wells but a semi-final result will be seen as a successful tournament for the German given his recent history at the event.

Indian Wells starts on Wednesday fourth of March and concludes on Sunday 15th of March.

 

 

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