Indian Wells 2012 men preview!

The 2012 ATP season has started off with fireworks.  Djoko begun the year by recapturing the AO title over Rafa in an epic final.  Roger, even though he lost in the semis of the same tournament has captured the last two tournaments he has played (Rotterdam & Dubai) which will give him great confidence entering Indian Wells.  Andy Murray secured some confidence having Djoko on the ropes at the AO and then beating him last week in Dubai.  The top four seem to be playing fantastic tennis with all of them capable of beating up on one another.  The "second tier" group looks dangerous as well.  Ferrer is coming of a title in Acapulco, Tsonga is playing great tennis, and Del Potro is looking as he can start challenging for a top 4 spot soon.  Great start so far!

Tennis is back in The States at Indian Wells and it will provide a fantastic opportunity to watch the best men in the world compete for a "fifth slam".  After all, Indian Wells and Miami are two tournaments with a lot of points at stake and are loved by both the men and women that participate in it.  Last year's champion, Djokovic is coming off a defeat to Murray at Dubai but played pretty well.  He will have a potential 3rd round match versus Del Rey Beach champ Kevin Anderson.  The South African can potentially give him some trouble.  If he is able to get through that round Richard Gasquet's backhand will be something to contend with as the Frenchman will look to make an early splash in the 2012 season.  Djoko's quaterfinal could possibly be Roddick or Berdych (Almagro is a possibility but he's not on clay).  These two players can possibly serve by him but with the best return in the game, Djoko might be looking at the possibility of playing Murray in the Semis.

Andy Murray's section doesn't seem as dangerous but there are a couple of guys out here that could give him some issues.  Triocki, Wawrinka, Simon are capable players who can play at Andy's speed and mix it up with him.  These points might not be the explosive points we like but they will definitely match the wits and brains of these savvy veterans.  Look out for Big John Isner in this side of the draw.  The American is looking better and better every week even though he had a loss against eventual Del Rey Beach champ Kevin Anderson.  He is definitely a player that might be able to give Murray some fits.  Andy might be glad to see the Americans Isner, Fish, and Harrison on his side of the draw and not the one that took him out last year, Donald Young.  D. Young will be on the bottom side and thankfully for Murray.  Of course he is not where he was last year coming off the loss at the AO to Djoko and was in this hungover state.  It would have been tough no matter how well Andy is playing to exercise that demon at the place where it occurred.  I don't foresee both D. Young and Murray to the final and playing each other so Andy can escape him this year.

Rafa has probably been the quietest player so far on tour (out of the big 4).  He lost in an epic final at the AO to Nole and now is looking to get some points going forward for any chance to finish the year at #1.  His draw can be tricky with a mix bag of players.  Crafty players that can dim the pace include Stepanek, Tipsarevic, and Dolgopolov.  Then there are some bangers like Lopez, Cilic, and maybe the most dangerous Tsonga.  Besides those big names there are those that can sneak in there and give The King of Clay some trouble, Nalbandian, Llodra, Gulbis, Tomic, Baghdatis to name a few.  This is definitely the most loaded side of the draw with names but not necessarily with talent.  I can see Rafa having an easier time then the other 3 in getting to the semis.

The King is back, somewhat.  Fed has won the last two tournaments and is looking better and better every match.  He handled Murray reasonably easy last week at Dubai and I'm sure is looking forward to playing the other two big dogs at Indian Wells.  His draw is loaded and can be extremely dangerous.  David Ferrer is a possible quarterfinal match-up and has been an easier match for Fed but don't mention that to Djokovic, the best player in the world, who lost to him at the Barclays on an indoor hard court.  Before Fed can even get to the Quarters, he will have his hands full potentially in the third round with the big serving Canadian, Raonic.  The young gun has started the season on a tear and can cause some chaos for the world's hottest player.  Monfils and Del Potro are also lurking on this side of the draw and will be a matchup nighmare for Fed.  Del Potro has faced Federer quite a bit this year with every score line becoming closer and closer this might be the tournament the Argentine might get his over Fed.


It'll be tough to see the big 4 all in the semis here but it's a big possibility.  I think we will have an early upset but I wouldn't bet my house on it.  Look out for a great tournament and updates throughout the next 10 days on Twitter, Facebook and Blogger.  Great time to be a tennis fan!