Indian Wells 2017 Draw Analysis: Packed bottom quarter sets up big early clashes

INDIAN WELLS, CA - MARCH 07: Andy Murray of Great Britain serves during a practice session on day two of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 7, 2017 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) — Andy Murray has the easiest draw so far, and could face Stan Wawrinka in the semi-finals

Third quarter: Underdogs reign, could upset Big 4

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 06: Kei Nishikori of Team World serves against Juan Martin del Potro (not pictured) of Team Americas in their Men's Singles match during the BNP Paribas Showdown at Madison Square Garden on March 6, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) — Kei Nishikori could see a QF against Marin Cilic

Headlined by fourth seed Kei Nishikori, the third quarter features a number of players who have all showed immense potential against the Big 4, but not been entirely successful. Sam Querrey, fresh off his title win over Rafael Nadal at the ATP500 Abierto Mexicano Telcel is in this quarter, as is Nadal vanquisher Lucas Pouille.

Marin Cilic is also in this quarter, with Delray Beach Open Jack Sock, as the 17^th seed, receiving a first-round bye in Q3.

Cilic could play either teen sensation Taylor Fritz or experienced campaigner Benoit Paire in his first match, while Nishikori, who has rarely, if ever, been patchy in terms of fitness, up against one of two players who have of late exhibited that trait – Dan Evans of Great Britain, or the mercurial Dustin Brown, who spent most of his 2016 season on the Challenger tour.

This appears to be an easy one for Nishikori until the quarter-finals, but that is when things will start to perhaps get tricky.

Edited by Staff Editor