Tennis: The Top Stories to Watch at Indian Wells 2011

We are at the threshold of yet another Indian Wells and Miami double, as yet another year of Masters Series tournaments begins. As with any other season, the Masters Series provides a run of elite events which offer breathers and warm-ups for the real things, the Grand Slams.

Indian Wells is the perfect start to the mid-season period of clay: often dubbed, along with Miami, as the fifth slam, its a time for big action, and big preparation for the arduous campaign ahead.

Most years at the desert have been fairly well-run with expectable outcomes—Novak Djokovic's run in 2008, or Rafael Nadal's in 2009, have been much the cooling-off wins fresh from their victories at the Australian Open.

Last year we had a surprise in Ivan Ljubicic; but how much of the unexpected can we expect this time? Little, of course, but it's fair to say that the Croat's chances of repeating his run from last year are slim, considering injury concerns and an impressive field.

There's Djokovic, naturally, who is being touted as almost the red-hot favorite for the title. With back to back victories over Roger Federer, and a win at his most lucrative Grand Slam, he should be. The clever money, it seems, would be on the Serb repeating his victory in 2008. As troubling as he has sometimes found the nuances of outdoor conditions, he is hitting the ball as well as he ever has. Moreover, a win here would put him in great stead in his unending quest for the no. one ranking.

The kings are not dead, however, as Djokovic has acknowledged in his press-conferences, and it would be short-sighted of anyone to rule out a winning run by either Federer or Nadal. Federer, of course, is the only person to have won this tournament three straight times; His recent results have been less impressive, however. He's failed to reach the finals since his run.

As with 2008, Federer comes into Indian Wells this year with a point to prove to the bristling threat of Djokovic. A semifinal berth for both is imminent—how mouth-watering that encounter would be, indeed.

For the big man from Spain, who has been relatively dormant recently with an injury lay-off after the Australian and only a brief, albeit winning, appearance at the Davis Cup last week, a win is likely less significant. He holds a mighty lead over the field in the rankings, and would surely be thinking about consolidating his hold before the advent of the clay season, where his efforts should truly be focused.

One of the bigger question marks, however, should be laid above Andy Murray's head. The Scot has scarcely appeared on court since his Australian Open loss, and his performance here would reveal something of his motivation at this point.

A victory would be little surprising. However, much to his dismay Murray too often proven his ability to surprise at the Masters. It would probably, on the contrary, only further fuel his grand slam conundrum.

There are the more minor narratives, of course, that are no less exciting. Juan Martin Del Potro is back on the tour, and, having already posted a devastating win in the first round over the wily Radek Stepanek, he looks to continue the resurgence of form that peaked momentarily in his first title win a few weeks ago at Delray Beach. One would rightly bet that he would.

Andy Roddick is in a similar vain, having won seven straight matches, winning at Memphis and then bringing the US through to the Davis Cup quarterfinals. In his sights, and lurking behind him, are the usual suspects—the dark horses, Robin Soderling and Tomas Berdych, with their debilitating serves and forehands.

Perhaps most interesting to watch out for, however, would be the performance of the young Canadian, Milos Raonic. In his two week run from San Jose to Memphis he emulated, at least halfway, the four titlte run of another proven talent, Juan Martin Del Potro, in 2008.

Raonic is the real deal, with a serve as good as anybody's, and big game that has a long future ahead. If anything, it would be fun to see him hang about with the league of greats.

We are in for an exciting week of tennis.