The stage is set for the Indian Wells Masters, with the draw revealing several high-stakes matchups. Here’s a breakdown of the key storylines:
Men’s Draw: Alcaraz, Djokovic on a Collision Course
– Carlos Alcaraz is aiming to win his third consecutive Indian Wells title, a rare feat in the tournament’s history.
– Novak Djokovic is eyeing his 100th ATP singles title, joining an elite club of players.
– Alcaraz and Djokovic could face off in the quarterfinals, a rematch of their Australian Open clash where Djokovic emerged victorious.
– Djokovic, after a first-round bye, will take on either:
– A qualifier
– Australian Nick Kyrgios, known for his unpredictable yet explosive game.
– Other potential quarterfinal clashes:
– Alexander Zverev vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas – The German top seed could run into his long-time Greek rival.
– Taylor Fritz vs. Andrey Rublev – The 2022 champion and home favourite may face the hard-hitting Russian in the quarters.
Women’s Draw: Tough Roads for Swiatek and Sabalenka
– Iga Swiatek, the defending champion, is set for a quarterfinal clash with Zheng Qinwen, who previously defeated her in the 2024 Olympic semifinal.
– Aryna Sabalenka, the top seed, is looking to regain form after early exits in Doha and Dubai and could face Italian Jasmine Paolini in the quarterfinals.
– An all-American quarterfinal battle could take place between Coco Gauff and Madison Keys, both Grand Slam winners.
– The U.S. has not seen a home-grown women’s champion at Indian Wells since Serena Williams in 2001.
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com