The 2015 ATP World Tour is running full speed ahead. The next stop brings us to Indian Wells for the 2015 BNP Paribas Open. Like always, it’s going to be a star-studded cast of contenders with the Big Four (Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray) all playing alongside a couple of young guns attempting to make a name for themselves.
Read on as we break down this star-studded tournament. Some more big tournaments are on deck in the world of college basketball. Check out our complete previews for the ACC and Big 12 tournaments, two of the tightest conferences in college basketball.
[sc:MultiSportArticles ]
BNP Paribas Men’s Singles Preview and Prediction
Favorites – Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer
[sc:Other240banner ]Novak Djokovic is the man to beat heading into the 2015 BNP Paribas Open. He has won two of the last four titles there (2011 and 2014). The World No. 1 has also started the year with stellar play on the hard court. He took the Australian Open by storm, concluding with a four-set victory—7-6(5), 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-0—over Andy Murray in the final.
Djokovic’s speed and power should translate well on the hard court. That’s why he’s the favorite to win to take it all at +110.
But Djokovic can be stopped. The last man to do so was Roger Federer on the hard court at that. Federer swept the World No. 1 6-3, 7-5 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Federer is an all-court, all-around player with a finesse-based style. His game is best described by former World No. 1 Jimmy Connors, “In an era of specialists, you’re either a clay court specialist, a grass court specialist, or a hard court specialist… or you’re Roger Federer.”
Owner of the most grand slam titles (17) by any men’s singles player, Federer is worth a look at +300 to win the 2015 BNP Paribas Open.
Sleepers – Kei Nishikori and Stan Wawrinka
Kei Nishikori is peaking at the perfect time. He’s coming off a deep Australian Open run (he lost in the quarterfinal round) before making back-to-back finals at the Memphis Open, which he won, and Acapulco Open. All three have come on the hard court. Nishikori became the first-ever player to claim the Memphis Open title for the fifth time in a row.
What makes Nishikori an interesting pick to win the 2015 BNP Paribas Open is his ability to be at the top of his game even against the best players in the world. He upset Djokovic at the 2014 U.S. Open, and beat Federer at the 2014 Sony Open. Nishikori offers plenty of value at +1,500 to win this upcoming tournament.
Another young gun is making his way up the world rankings in Stan Wawrinka. He’s already won two titles (Chennai Open and Rotterdam Open) on hard court in 2015. Wawrinka also had plenty of success at the Australian Open, losing a five-set thriller to eventual champion Djokovic.
Wawrinka is +1,500 to win the 2015 BNP Paribas Open.
Long Shot – John Isner
John Isner was a surprise semifinalist at this tournament last year when he gave the defending champion, Djokovic, a run for his money in a three-set loss.
Isner could make another run at this year’s tournamentin a manageable bracket. He’ll face a qualifier in the second round of the tournament before potentially squaring off against 16th seed Kevin Anderson in the third round. He’s won four straight matches against Anderson, which should help him reach at least the quarterfinal.
Should Isner pull off some upsets on the way to winning the title, he offers a tasty line at +8,000.
Writer’s Prediction
Nishikori (+1,500) dominates to win the 2015 BNP Paribas Open.
Still think one of the Big Four wins the tournament? Create a betting account now and put your money where your mouth is.
