Indian Wells: Nadal takes unbeaten 2022 record into California classic

The fifth slam

Indian Wells is one of the biggest stops on the ATP and WTA Tours, with the hardcourt tournament famed as being the greatest outside the Grand Slams. 

Britain’s Cameron Norrie goes into the competition as the defending champion from the men’s side, while Paula Badosa was a surprise winner of the women’s event in 2021, which was characterised by some massive upsets.

The Djokovic unknown 

All the talk ahead of the 2022 event – again – is whether Novak Djokovic will be allowed to compete. The Serb is in the draw, but because of his unvaccinated status, there is doubt as to whether he will be allowed into the USA. If he plays, he will surely put on a show. 

Andy Murray is due to meet Djokovic in the third round, but given he has won back-to-back matches in only one of six tournaments so far in 2022, this may be academic. The main benefactors if the former World No.1 misses out in the bottom quarter are Andrey Rublev and Hubert Hurkacz. The Russian won in three tight sets when the pair met in Dubai, but with events in his homeland, the Pole could have the edge here.

Rafael Nadal defeated Daniil Medvedev to win the Australian Open earlier this year, and is among the favourites at Indian Wells

Auger-Aliassime can go far

Staying in the bottom half of the draw, Alexander Zverev’s presence is surprising after the ATP elected not to suspend him for thrashing his racquet against the umpire’s chair in Acapulco. This controversy matched with patchy form. Look for the in-form Felix Auger-Aliassime, a semi-finalist at last year’s US Open, to benefit.

In the top half, meanwhile, lurks Raphael Nadal. The Spaniard is protecting an incredible 15-0 record in 2022 and notably showed immense physical and mental fortitude to win the Australian Open.

The greatest threat to Rafa comes from Daniil Medvedev, who has graduated to World No.1 for the first time. However, the Russian has twice lost to Nadal already this year and lost from two sets up in the Australian Open final. 

Look for a strong run from Auger-Aliassime, who after coming within a set of the Australian Open semis could go all the way to his first Masters title.

Who can profit from Barty’s absence? 

If it’s questionable whether the men’s draw will have the game’s outstanding player present, the women’s draw certainly will not, with Ashleigh Barty not travelling having dominated the field to win the Australian Open.

With so many big hitters who can blow hot and cold, the women’s game is presently incredibly unpredictable. Major winners such as Sofia Kenin and Naomi Osaka both come into the tournament unseeded, meaning that they miss the luxury of a first-round bye. 

Arguably the player to watch is Iga Swiatek, who has been one of the most consistent players on the WTA Tour in recent months. The Pole reached the Australian Open semi-final and was a strong winner in Doha just a couple of weeks ago, beating three Top 10 opponents along the way. Her confidence will be soaring.

Elsewhere, Anett Kontaveit has also been in consistently excellent form for months, reaching the final of the Qatar Open, where she was blown away by Swiatek. Although she has typically struggled on the biggest stages, she made the quarter-finals of Indian Wells last year, so this is clearly a tournament she favours. 

Recommended bets

Felix Auger-Aliassime to win men's

Iga Swiatek to win women's