Indian Wells 2024 draw: Rafael Nadal set for Milos Raonic showdown, Emma Raducanu could meet Aryna Sabalenka
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Published 05/03/2024 at 10:24 GMT
The draw for Indian Wells sees Rafael Nadal back in competitive action for the first time since January as he is set to face Milos Raonic in the first round in California. The 22-time Grand Slam champion, who has missed most of the last 12 months with injury, could meet seventh seed Holger Rune in the second round. In the women's draw, Emma Raducanu is on a collision course with Aryna Sabalenka.
Highlights: Alcaraz beats Nadal in Vegas exhibition
Rafael Nadal’s tennis comeback will continue at Indian Wells when he takes on Milos Raonic in the first round.
The full draw for the ATP Masters 1000 event was made on Monday and paired Canadian Raonic with three-time winner and 2022 finalist Nadal, who is back in action for the first time in a competitive match since the Brisbane International in January.
Nadal, 37, has been plagued by injury trouble and returned after nearly a year out when he was beaten by Jordan Thompson in Brisbane, only to suffer another injury.
He subsequently missed the 2024 Australian Open but was recently back on court in an exhibition match against compatriot Carlos Alcaraz in Las Vegas.
Nadal has an 8-2 record against Raonic, one of those coming at Indian Wells back in 2015, and should he come through the tie, will face seventh seed Holger Rune in the second round.
Elsewhere, defending champion Alcaraz will face the winner of the tie between Luca van Assche and Matteo Arnaldi, before a potential meeting with Felix Auger-Aliassime in round three.
Top seed Novak Djokovic will begin his campaign for a record sixth title when he faces Aleksandar Vukic in the second round, while British No. 1 and 2021 champion Cameron Norrie will take on either Lorenzo Sonego or Miomir Kecmanovic.
Andy Murray will go head-to head with Andrey Rublev if he comes through his first round match against a qualifier.
Fellow Brit Jack Draper could meet Alexander Zverev in the second round, should he first get the better of Australian Christopher O’Connell.
Raducanu two matches from potential Sabalenka showdown
In the women’s draw, defending champion Elena Rybakina will face either Paula Badosa or Ashlyn Krueger.
Top seed and 2022 champion Iga Swiatek will face Danielle Collins should the American win her first round match, while Aryna Sabalenka will take on the winner of Payton Stearns and Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
Sabalenka could face Emma Raducanu in the third round should the Brit win her first round tie against a qualifier, and then overcome Australian Open semi-finalist Dayana Yastremska in round two.
US Open champion and No. 3 seed Coco Gauff will meet either Clara Burel of France or Wang Xiyu of China in her second match.
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