Indian Wells ATP draw preview

World no.1 and top seed, Roger Federer opens his Indian Wells campaign against Romanian Victor Hanescu or Argentine veteran Juan Ignacio Chela in the second round. Federer, a three time former champion, could meet no.27 seed Marcos Baghdatis in the third round.

The 2008 champion and second seed, Novak Djokovic, is drawn to meet experienced American Mardy Fish in the second round. The Serbian defeated Fish in the 2008 final. He comes to California in good form recently winning the Dubai title and last week led his country to victory over the United States in the Davis Cup.

World no.3 Rafael Nadal makes his first appearance at the BNP Paribas Open since retiring hurt from his quarterfinal match at the Australian Open in January. Nadal, the defending champion and winner in 2007, faces a qualifier in the second round and could meet one of two Americans, 15th seed John Isner or No. 17 seed Sam Querrey.

Britain’s Andy Murray, last year’s finalist, will face either American Robby Ginepri or consistent Italian Andreas Seppi in his first round match. Murray has an impressive 12-4 win-loss record at Indian Wells and will be looking to claim his 15th career title.

Seventh-seeded American Andy Roddick is drawn to play talented Serbian Janko Tipsarevic in the third round. The three-time semifinalist will be looking to have a good run in California and claim his first Indian Wells title.

THE AMERICANS

Showman James Blake has a winnable first round match against Spanish journeyman Daniel Gimeno-Traver. If victorious, Blake will face Acapulco champion and 13th seed David Ferrer in the next round.

In other first round matches, rising 17-year-old Ryan Harrison meets fellow American Taylor Dent. Wayne Odesnik opens against Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky, while grinder Michael Russell will take on Italian Paolo Lorenzi. Wildcard Jesse Levine plays Israeli Dudi Sela and big-serving Rajeev Ram faces Austrian Daniel Koellerer.

Six other Americans remain in the second round of qualifying: Bobby Reynolds, Lester Cook, Jesse Witten, Tim Smyczek, Kevin Kim and Ryan Sweeting.

THE AUSTRALIANS

Experienced baseliner Peter Luczak will play veteran Frenchman Arnaud Clement in the first round. Nick Lindahl and Marinko Matosevic had first round qualifying wins today and remain a chance to make their first ever appearance in an ATP Masters 1000 event.

THE OTHERS

Popular Spaniard Carlos Moya and Argentine David Nalbandian were granted wildcards into the main draw. Moya, currently ranked 639th in the world, was a finalist in 1999. Nalbandian, a former world No.3, is returning to the tour after a hip injury which sidelined him since May last year.

South African Kevin Anderson defeated Frenchman Sebastian Grosjean to advance to the second round of qualifying.

Men’s first round matches begin on Friday the 12th of March.

Vanessa Skendaris