Events / Jeremy Bates / 05 March 2010 /

It's the first Masters event of the year so we asked British tennis legend Jeremy Bates for his views on the top players at Indian Wells

The men's tournament

My Bet: Andy Murray
Britain's Australian Open finalist just loves playing in the US, it was the scene of his first tour victory and is where he resides for part of the year. Moreover, he clearly enjoys this tournament, he was a finalist at Indian Wells last year in a season when he also landed the Miami Masters.

The Scot plays his best stuff on hard courts, and the thin desert air quickens his shots. He's playing more aggressively now, with a bigger serve and great backhand.

There are more positives in his good head-to-head record against all his top rivals: Rafael Nadal (won three of last five); Roger Federer (6-5 career record); Novak Djokovic (won the last three).

Murray has a maturity and competitive instinct that are second to none. He's desperate to win the big ones and the other top players both fear and respect him now.

The Dangers: Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer
Last year's winner, Rafael Nadal, is the most physical and determined of all the top players, but question marks remain over his fitness. Degenerative knee problems have taken their toll over the last 12 months and, given his style of play demands 100 per cent effort, we could be looking at the last days of Rafa. The Spaniard hasn't been seen on court since retiring from his Australian Open quarter-final against Murray.

It remains to be seen where his confidence is at and a lack of match practice could be a factor, but you can never discount Nadal as a competitor.

On the plus side he has won 15 Masters titles, one behind Federer and two behind all-time leader Andre Agassi, and his massive topspin and power on forehand could be very destructive on the high bouncing courts of Indian Wells.

Federer is the greatest player of all time and his powers show no signs of diminishing. The Swiss is a three-time champion of Indian Wells and boasts a 29-6 tournament record, but he hasn't won there since 2006.

Fed's Australian Open win surprised a few people who thought he was maybe slipping a little. But don't let that victory fool you - grand slam titles are his priority and he has been vulnerable in these events in the last 12 months.

Nevertheless, Federer is equipped with an all-round game to die for - he can do anything with the ball and is always the man to beat.

The Long Shot: Nikolay Davydenko
The Russian won the ATP Masters in London in November last year, registering with first ever win against Federer in the process. He repeated the feat in Doha at the start of this year, beating Federer and Nadal in successive rounds.

Super fit and fast, Davydenko is a baseline grinder. Lethal on both wings, determined and powerful, the world no.6 is a very dangerous floater.


The men's tournament

My Bet: Justine Henin

Despite getting all the way to the Australian Open final in January, Henin needed a wildcard to get into Indian Wells having only just returned to the tour.

Her initial retirement came at a very young age and she still has the best years to come. As the run to the Melbourne final showed, she is a threat to all the world's top players.

Henin is reconciled with her family after years of heartache and is out on the tour on her own terms now. This happy Belgian could be a very dangerous player.

Versatile on all surfaces, she has the best backhand in women's game, and is a major force in every event. It's very tough to bet against her here.

The Dangers: Kim Clijsters and Victoria Azarenka

The tour's 'other' Belgian is a two-time winner of this event and, like Henin, is enjoying a second life on tour after coming back from retirement.

A US Open title was secured in just her third tournament back on tour but she opened this year with a bad Australian Open so is out to re-establish her credentials again.

Clijsters, who is already world number 14, is very calm and collected and a fantastic athlete and competitor. She has every chance of winning.

Azarenka, the current world number 4, burst on to the scene last year, and is clearly one to watch.

A 6ft 1 inch powerhouse, she plays very offensively of both sides, going for every shot. Intense and determined, she gives everything to every point. Azarenka's backhand is a shot to be feared.

Long Shot: Maria Sharapova

Tournament victory in Memphis show that Sharapova is back on form and could finally be over her shoulder surgery

The Indian Wells winner in 2006, she lives in the US so, aside from the home players, will be the most popular and well-supported female in the event

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