ATP Indian Wells 2022 Draw Preview and Analysis

The primary of again to again Masters 1000 occasions begins on Thursday with Daniil Medvedev taking to the court docket for the primary time because the World No.1. An early exit would ship him again to No.2 however it will likely be on his phrases because the continued harsh entry necessities within the US imply that Novak Djokovic is unable to enter the nation and compete right here or in Miami.

Medvedev is the marginal bookmakers favorite for the match however his latest losses to Rafael Nadal have positioned the Spaniard on degree footing in lots of locations. All eyes can be on their potential semi ultimate but it surely received’t be totally straight ahead for the Russian, who would wish to make the quarter finals to carry his No.1 rating. The projected third spherical between Carlos Alcaraz and Roberto Bautista Agut could possibly be an intriguing one particularly with one in all Medvedev’s worst losses in 2021 coming to Agut in Miami. In the meantime, Alcaraz wouldn’t have been ranked excessive sufficient to compete right here final 12 months if the occasion was held within the conventional March slot. He’s now simply inside the highest 20 at No. 19.

Cameron Norrie was the shock winner right here final 12 months, making the most of the depleted subject. A primary spherical loss within the Australian Open had many questioning if he would be capable of reside as much as his spectacular 2021 however he did bounce again in February. He was the champion in Delray Seaside earlier than shedding within the ultimate in Acapulco, placing up an admirable struggle towards Rafael Nadal. Stefanos Tsitsipas is the plain important rival on this part because the No. 5 seed. He shall be longing for revenge having misplaced in straights to Norrie within the Acapluco semi finals, making the face to face presently 1-1. Previous and current American subsequent massive issues in Jack Sock and Jenson Brooksby will hope to spring surprises in the event that they get to their seeded opponents however there shall be extra confidence in Brooksby who’s within the prime 50 for the primary time.

On the age of 35, Rafael Nadal is having one of the best begin to a season in his profession. Already at three titles and a 16-0 report, he has silenced a couple of doubters that he’s on the best way out any time quickly. His comeback win to safe the Australian Open title confirmed he’s nonetheless a steady contender whereas he added one other win towards Daniil Medvedev in Acapulco to additional set up that. It’s unlikely Dan Evans will bother Nadal right here but when Denis Shapovalov makes it to a fourth spherical encounter with Nadal, there’s nonetheless potential for the upset. The Canadian gave him one of many hardest matches in Australia, virtually pulling off a 0-2 comeback within the quarter finals.

The ultimate part of the highest half does really feel like it should produce an opponent that received’t give Nadal or others an excessive amount of bother. Federico Delbonis seems to be ripe for a second spherical loss to a wildcarded Nick Kyrgios whereas the No. 8 seed Casper Ruud remains to be inconsistent on exhausting courts. The winner of a 3rd spherical conflict of Italians might produce the quarter finalist right here with Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Sonego each seeded. Sonego is falling out type on the worst time so Sinner ought to be the favorite to maneuver on. He was a finalist at Miami final 12 months however has usually come up wanting on this floor towards gamers perceived to be on his degree or larger.

Though issues reverted to kind in Marseille, Felix Auger-Aliassime shall be relieved to lastly have ended his shedding streak in finals with a formidable Rotterdam title victory. His starting to 2022 does bode properly for the remainder of the 12 months and he might take additional steps right here to exhibiting he is able to compete on the deep finish of slams and 1000s regularly. He’ll hope to repeat his Australian Open win towards Marin Cilic in the event that they meet in spherical three however extra focus shall be on Matteo Berrettini within the subsequent spherical. The Italian is presently 2-1 towards Auger-Aliassime and shall be keen to determine himself as one of the best of the remaining, one thing a deep run would assist loads with.

Alexander Zverev stays within the draw after narrowly avoiding a suspension after his exploits in Acapulco. He obtained a suspended ban relatively than instant for placing the umpire’s chair in anger. A calmer and extra composed Zverev can be among the many favourites right here, particularly being within the reverse half to Nadal and Medvedev. He has good data towards the seeds in his part; 5-1 towards Alex de Minaur and 2-0 towards Pablo Carreno Busta. The latter is enhancing on exhausting courts however this sort of route ought to be pretty routine for Zverev on his method to the quarter finals.

2021 Miami Open champion Hubert Hurkacz shall be determined for run right here forward of defending his title in a fortnight’s time. The Pole has been pretty streaky together with his outcomes, finest proven by profitable simply one in all his subsequent seven matches following the Miami title. His a part of the draw seems to be pretty exhausting to foretell however the favorite to advance from the quarter finals must be Andrey Rublev. Rublev has already racked up two titles (Marseille, Dubai) this 12 months, beating Hurkacz within the latter. Brandon Nakashima is likely one of the rising stars of American tennis and can look to spice up his profile right here – a winnable conflict with Frances Tiafoe awaits if he can get by way of spherical one.

Like on the ladies’s facet, the draw has shifted due to a late withdrawal. It’s Grigor Dimitrov that’s the beneficiary of Djokovic’s incapability to compete, transferring into the second seed slot as No. 33. He’s in a piece that appears pretty open, headed by Diego Schwartzman. The Argentinian is way improved on exhausting courts and can come right here in good type having made two finals throughout the South American clay swing. If he needs to make the quarter finals, he’s prone to must fend off a minimum of one massive server in John Isner or Sam Querrey whereas Alexander Bublik is an out of doors shot as thirty first seed. Andy Murray can be on this part however a constant week or fortnight does seem unlikely at this stage of his profession.

Ultimate Prediction – Daniil Medvedev defeats Felix Auger Aliassime