Indian Wells Tennis 2016: Men's Final Schedule and Predictions

The 48th meeting between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic lived up to the billing.

Despite falling behind in the first set, the world's No. 1 player came back to defeat Nadal in straight sets, 7-6 (5), 6-2, on Saturday. Djokovic is aiming for his third title this year. After winning the Australian Open, he also took home the Qatar Open title by beating Nadal on Jan. 9.

On the bottom of the men's bracket, Milos Raonic survived a two-hour, three-set thriller over David Goffin to reach the final. The 6'5" Raonic powered through with 11 aces, four of them coming in the final set, winning 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

After making it to the semifinals of the Australian Open, Raonic will be looking for his second title this year. He won the Brisbane International on Jan. 10.

Here's all the info you need heading into the final, which could be a preview of a future Grand Slam final.

BNP Paribas Open Men's Final Schedule

Matchup: Milos Raonic vs. Novak Djokovic

When: Sunday, March 20

Where: Indian Wells, California

Time: TBD

TV: Tennis Channel

Preview and Prediction

This match will feature a giant contrast in styles.

Raonic has a big body and depends on a powerful serve to defeat his opponents. His last two matches have been evidence of that, as he totaled 17 aces on his way to the final. Ben Rothenberg of the New York Times thinks it's going to be a battle of the two best players this season:

Djokovic's game is well-documented. He's a steady player who never seems to fold under pressure and has enough energy toward the end of a set to put his opponents away.

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

The first set against Nadal is a good example to look at. Nadal hasn't had much success in recent matches against Djokovic. Coming into Saturday's match, Nadal had lost his last 11 sets against Djokovic, and only one of those went to a 7-5 decision.

Despite Nadal going to a tiebreaker in the first set, Djokovic was able to power through and win that set before comfortably securing the second and moving on to the final, as Russell Fuller of BBC pointed out:

This will be the sixth meeting between Raonic and Djokovic, with Djokovic having won all five prior matches. The last time they met was in the 2015 Australian Open quarterfinals, where Djokovic won in straight sets, including a first-set tiebreaker.

Raonic is a better player now, so Djokovic can't assume this will be an easy match, and it could be a preview of a future Wimbledon or French Open final. Djokovic has needed a fresh opponent to challenge him for the top spot, and Raonic could be that guy.

However, Djokovic hasn't shown any signs of slowing down. Just as Fuller pointed out, when it seems as though Djokovic is against the ropes, he finds a way to get the job done. Sunday's match should go the distance, with Djokovic getting the win in an early-season thriller.

Stats courtesy of ATPWorldTour.com.

Follow Danny Webster on Twitter.