Indian Wells: Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer placed in same half of draw

Michael Graham 06 Mar 2019 3:24 PM

The Indian Wells mens draw has thrown up a potentially mouthwatering third round clash between Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios, with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer also being placed in the same half of the draw.

Djokovic is on a three-Grand Slam winning streak at present as we approach the first Masters level event of the season, while Kyrgios is coming into it off the back of an incredibly impressive winning performance at the Mexican Open.

Kyrgios will have to get through Pierre-Hugues Herbert of Phillip Kohlschreiber in the first round, and probably Gael Monfils in the second, but should he do that he will almost certainly run into Djokovic in round three.

Fourth seed Roger Federer opens the title quest against Andreas Seppi or Peter Gojowczyk and would face Stan Wawrinka or Marton Fucsovics after that.

Federer has a tough draw, with not only Wawrinka in his quarter, but also Kei Nishikori, Marin Cilic, Denis Shapovalov, and Kyle Edmund too.

Things look a lot more comfortable for Rafael Nadal, although Karen Khachanov and John Isner will likely lie in wait for him as the tournament progresses.

Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas have tantalizingly been drawn together in the same quarter.