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BNP Paribas Open
Eight things to watch for at this years tournament It’s that time of year again: The BNP Paribas Open is back and the Indian Wells Tennis Garden is where the eyes of all those in the tennis world fall. The tournament site itself has gone through a massive revamp in the 50 weeks since the completion of the 2016 event, with Stadium 1 upgrading its dining options and suites, as well as a new Stadium Plaza for fan viewing and much more. What are the story lines coming into the 2017 event? Here, nine items that can’t be missed. 1. Djokovic goes for history. Having won this event the last three years running, the Novak Djokovic will try to make history by becoming the first to capture four consecutive trophies, as well as extend his lead as the winningest player with a sixth title overall. He comes in as an unfamiliar No. 2 in the world behind Andy Murray, who is in search of his first title ever in the Coachella Valley on the heels of his first win in Dubai last week. 2. Serena favored; Azarenka absent. Victoria Azarenka’s Indian Wells-Miami double was one of the WTA’s best feats in 2016, but the new mother is missing the event this year after giving birth to a son in December. No doubt Serena Williams, a two-time Indian Wells winner and the world No. 1, is the favorite, she has been outrageously good in Australia in January, where she captured an Open Era record 23rd Grand Slam title. Indian Wells
is Serena’s first tournament since that win in Melbourne. 3. Roger, Rafa resurgent. While Murray and Djokovic are 1-2 in the men’s field, it’s Australian Open finalists Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal who continue to wow in their respective comebacks. Federer - like Serena - set an Open Era record with major No. 18 in Melbourne, while Nadal now has finals in Australia and in Acapulco to his name this season, reinserting himself as a danger to the top tier on the hard court surface. Both are multi-time champions here in the past. 4. Who can challenge Serena? With Azarenka out, the field will have its
work cut out for it against the best of all time. Serena’s older sister Venus, made her first Grand Slam final in eight years at the Australian Open, while former Indian Wells winners Simona Halep and Caroline Wozniacki could be factors. Angelique Kerber hasn’t had the start she’s wanted, but the world No. 2 had a solid run to the Dubai semifinals. Other contenders: Doha winner Karolina Pliskova, Garbine Muguruza, Dominika Cibulkova, Agnieszka Radwanska, Svetlana Kuznetsova, and Madison Keys. 5. The men’s contenders. The big four are always the ones to watch for the men, but that doesn’t mean the rest of the field doesn’t have a
chance. Stan Wawrinka is the leader of that pack. Grigor Dimitrov has had a resurgent 2017, making the Melbourne final four as well, and Sam Querrey is one to watch after a stunning win in Acapulco. Nick Kyrgios has seemed to find his next gear, upsetting Djokovic in Acapulco, while Milos Raonic, Kei Nishikori, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Dominic Thiem and David Goffin will all look to play the role of spoiler. Raonic, the Canadian, was a finalist here a year ago. 6. Tennis Paradise… just got better. Already one of the most pristine stops on tour, the Indian Wells TenContinued on page 13 >>