Indian Wells tennis draw: Djokovic in half with Alcaraz

The BNP Paribas Open draw ceremony was held on Monday in Indian Wells.

After the sector of 96 was revealed, one of many doable semifinal matchups is Carlos Alcaraz vs. Novak Djokovic. It’s a comparatively troublesome draw throughout for Alcaraz, who will start his Masters 1000 match in opposition to both Grigor Dimitrov or Terence Atmane. Casper Ruud is a possible fourth-round opponent, whereas Alex de Minaur and Alexander Bublik could be quarterfinal foes for the top-ranked Spaniard.

As for Djokovic, he might run into two massive servers in his first two matches — Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard within the second spherical and Hubert Hurkacz within the third. The 24-time Grand Slam champion is on a collision course 4 the spherical of 16 with defending Indian Wells champion Jack Draper. Having missed a lot time, although, Draper is rusty. The Brit will in all probability be challenged within the third spherical by Francisco Cerundolo on a tough courtroom that’s conducive to gamers who’re comfy on clay. Daniil Medvedev can be in Djokovic’s part of the draw…however Medvedev can be at the moment in Dubai. With airspace closed within the area, Medvedev — the Dubai champ — could not get out in time for Indian Wells.

On the backside of the bracket, Jannik Sinner might go up in opposition to both Stefanos Tsitsipas or Denis Shapovalov in spherical three. Tsitsipas vs. Shapovalov is an intriguing first-round battle. Sinner might then meet Tommy Paul within the final 16 and Ben Shelton within the quarters. Alexander Zverev’s path may characteristic both Acapulco champion Flavio Cobolli or Acapulco runner-up Frances Tiafoe within the fourth spherical. Lorenzo Musetti, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Andrey Rublev are potential QF opponents for Zverev, however Rublev finds himself in the identical Dubai predicament as Medvedev.

Along with Tsitsipas vs. Shapovalov and Dimitrov vs. Atmane, different first-round showdowns to look at are Alejandro Tabilo vs. Rafael Jodar, Joao Fonseca vs. Raphael Collignon, Matteo Berrettini vs. Adrian Mannarino, Alexei Popyrin vs. Jenson Brooksby, and Reilly Opelka vs. Ethan Quinn.

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and in addition maintains his personal tennis web site, The Grandstand. You’ll be able to comply with him on Twitter at @Dimonator.