Third seed, Andy Murray, will meet world number one, Novak Djokovic, in the last four of the BNP Paribas Open should the event go to form.
The two players have developed a healthy rivalry over the years and are in line to face each other for the ninth time since the beginning of last season. Two of those meetings have come in the last two Grand Slam finals, with both men claiming a win apiece.
A potential semi-final between the rivals adds spice to an already intriguing tournament, the first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event of the year.
According to the sports betting news , Rafael Nadal will feature in a high-profile tournament for the first time since suffering a serious knee injury at Wimbledon last summer. He will be determined to continue his impressive form since his return to the circuit, though it will be difficult for the Spaniard on hardcourt.
Nadal could face Roger Federer as early as the quarterfinals. Should the Swiss fail to make the last four, Murray could take advantage. A final appearance would see him leapfrog Federer into second place in the world rankings.
The Scot starts his bid for glory against Russia’s Evgeny Donskoy or Tatsuma Ito of Japan in the second round this weekend. He will be out to go one better than his previous best of reaching the final four years ago.
Djokovic, who is unbeaten in 18 matches dating back to October, will be chasing his third title at Indian Wells. The Serbian begins against Italy’s Fabio Fognini or Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia, games that tennis betting news pundits expect him to walk.
Like Djokovic, Federer has enjoyed success at the event. The 17-time major champion has emerged victorious four times. He is in line to play Denis Istomin of Russia first up. Meanwhile, Nadal will kick off against the American, Ryan Harrison, or Japan’s Go Soeda.
