‘The toughest draw in history’ – Can Federer, Nadal or Djokovic survive horror schedule?

Many have dubbed one section ‘the toughest ever’ after the two greats were joined by defending champion Novak Djokovic, Juan Martin del Potro, Alexander Zverev and Nick Kyrgios in the bottom quarter.

It means only one of the aforementioned sextet can reach the semi-finals, guaranteeing some huge showdowns in the early stages.

Federer may be basking in an 18th Grand Slam title, but his route to a fifth title in Indian Wells looks a far more challenging prospect. He may have to down the first, second, fourth and fifth seeds to continue his brilliant 2017.

Nadal has had a superb start to 2017, with final defeats in Melbourne and Acapulco hinting that he’s approaching his best.

Given his potential early match-up with Federer, the Spaniard faces a similar route to the trophy. However, he’ll be acutely aware that fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco could await in the third round.

If this muddled draw had coincided with the 2016 season, any debate would be pointless – Djokovic would still progress from the quarter regardless. He’s a five-time winner, the defending champion and has reached the semi-final every year since 2011.

But since his title in Doha at the start of January, the Serb has suffered damaging defeats at the Australian and Mexico Opens. One question remains: which Djokovic will show up?

However, it’s Kyrgios, conqueror of Djokovic in Acapulco last week, who can feel most aggrieved by the draw.

The temperamental Aussie may have to down the hottest prospect on tour, the five-time champion, the Grand Slam record holder and the world number one to clinch the most unlikely of titles.

The draw caused quite a stir in the tennis world:

Meanwhile, world number one Murray is probably chuckling to himself. The Brit crashed out in the third round last year, leaving him defending just 45 points in 2017. Compare that to Djokovic, defending the maximum 1000 points, and it’s clear Murray is almost certain to extend his lead in the ATP rankings.

"Last year was terrible preparation, playing indoors for four weeks and going to play in conditions where the ball totally flies through the air, the ball bounces way above your head, after practising on low bouncing courts," said Murray.

"This year I get there earlier, hopefully prepare better and give myself a chance to do well."

This is the perfect platform for Murray to end his drought in Indian Wells – a strange anomaly in his trophy cabinet given his fondness for the US and undoubted ability on hard courts. He arrives having won the last two Masters 1000 tournaments in 2016 and, while his shock defeat to Mischa Zverev at the Australian Open proves no draw is easy, should benefit from the kind draw.