Two young American wild cards, Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe, meet for the first time on the ATP World Tour at the BNP Paribas Open on Thursday.

Tiafoe has always got the better of fellow 18-year-old Fritz in the pair’s three junior meetings. But a lot has changed since their last clash in August 2014 at the USTA Boy’s Under-18 Championships in Kalamazoo.

Fritz, has enjoyed a meteoric rise to No. 80 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, following a run to his first ATP World Tour final at Memphis (l. to Nishikori) in only his third ATP World Tour tournament. At 18 years and 109 days, he became the youngest ATP World Tour finalist since Kei Nishikori won 2008 Delray Beach (18 years, 50 days).

World No. 177 Tiafoe, who is also part of the ATP’s Next Generation campaign, is the youngest player in the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 field at 18 years and one month.

It will be only the fourth all-teenager match at the BNP Paribas Open, going back to 2000. The last clash came in the 2007 third round when Novak Djokovic defeated fellow 19-year-old Evgeny Korolev 6-2, 6-1.

Fritz or Tiafoe will play No. 15 seed David Goffin in the second round.

* DELPO RETURNS: On the first day of play at the BNP Paribas Open, wild card entry Juan Martin del Potro is making his return to Indian Wells for the first time since 2013. This is the 27-year-old Argentine’s sixth appearance in Indian Wells (16-5 record). He’s reached the quarter-finals or better in four of his previous appearances. He reached the quarters in 2009, ’12, semi-finals in ’11 and final in his last visit in ’13. Last year the former World No. 4 played in two tournaments – Sydney (QF) and Miami (1R) before undergoing left wrist surgery on Jan. 20 and on June 18. He returned to action last month in Delray Beach where he advanced to the semi-finals (l. to eventual champ Querrey). Afterwards he jumped from No. 1,042 to No. 420 in the Emirates ATP Rankings.

* SPOTLIGHT ON INDIAN WELLS: The 41st edition of the BNP Paribas Open, the first of nine ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments this season, gets under way at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on Thursday. The star-studded line-up features 43 of the Top 50 players in the Emirates ATP Rankings (17 of the Top 20), with World No. 1 and reigning champion (four times overall) Novak Djokovic leading the way. The other former winner in the field is Rafael Nadal, who captured the title in 2007, ’09, ’13. The tournament was first held in 1976 at nearby Mission Hills in Palm Springs where Jimmy Connors beat countryman Roscoe Tanner in the final.

* DAY 1 PREVIEW: The bottom half of the draw takes center stage on Thursday with 16 men’s singles matches on the order of play. Four of the six teenagers in the draw, part of the Next Generation on the ATP World Tour, are in action as Borna Coric (19) is first up on Stadium 1. The next men’s match is American wild cards Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz (both 18). On Stadium 2, Hyeon Chung (19) makes his debut. In the last match on Stadium 1, wild card Juan Martin del Potro, who reached the final in 2013, returns to the desert. For more information on Thursday’s 1R matches, see page 8.

* NEXT GENERATION: There are eight Next Generation players in the main draw, including six teenagers. This is the most teenagers in the Indian Wells main draw since seven in 2006. Here’s a look at the talented 21 & under group (in age order):

Ranking Age
Frances Tiafoe (WC) No. 177 18 yrs., 1 month
Taylor Fritz (WC) No. 80 18 yrs., 4 months
Alexander Zverev No. 58 18 yrs., 10 months
Borna Coric No. 47 19 yrs., 3 months
Jared Donaldson (WC) No. 158 19 yrs., 4 months
Hyeon Chung No. 64 19 yrs., 9 months
Nick Kyrgios No. 27 20 yrs., 10 months
Kyle Edmund No. 82 21 yrs., 1 month

* MURRAY JOINS FATHERHOOD: Andy Murray, who reached the Indian Wells final in 2009 (l. to Nadal), is playing his first tournament since becoming a father on Feb. 7 with the birth of his daughter, Sophia. Murray opened the season with his fifth runner-up at the Australian Open (l. to Djokovic). Over the weekend he lifted Great Britain to a 3-1 Davis Cup victory over Japan by clinching the 1st round tie with a five-set win over Kei Nishikori. The top four players in the Emirates ATP Rankings are all fathers:

Became Father Titles Won as Father (Overall)
1) Novak Djokovic Oct. 21, 2014 15 (61)
2) Andy Murray Feb. 7, 2016 Indian Wells first tournament
3) Roger Federer July 23, 2009 28 (88)
4) Stan Wawrinka Feb. 12, 2010 12 (13)

DAY 1 FEDEX ATP HEAD 2 HEADS – In Order of Play by Court

STADIUM 1

Borna Coric (CRO) vs Lucas Pouille (FRA) First Meeting

Coric 2016 FastFacts:
F: Chennai (l Wawrinka)
YTD W-L: 7-7 (6-6 on hard, 1-1 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: November 14, 1996
Emirates ATP Ranking: 47
Indian Wells W-L (Best Result-Year): 1-1 (2R – 2015)

• The 19-year-old Croat is making his second straight appearance in Indian Wells. One of three Croats (Cilic, Dodig) in main draw. Qualified last year (d. Haider-Maurer, l. to Tomic in 2R)
• Began season by reaching 1st ATP World Tour final at Chennai (d. Bautista Agut 76 in 3rd, l. to No. 4 Wawrinka). Became 1st teen to play in an ATP final since countryman Cilic at 2008 New Haven (d. Fish)
• Spent 9 hours, 29 minutes on court en route to final, nearly 3 times Wawrinka’s 3 hours, 16 minutes
• After falling to Goffin in 5 sets,clinched Croatia’s 3-2 win over Belgium in Davis Cup 1R (d. Coppejans). Croatia will play the U.S. on the road in July in QFs
• Suffered 4-match losing streak after Chennai SF win over Bedene

Pouille 2016 FastFacts:
QF: Brisbane (l Raonic)
YTD W-L: 2-4 (2-4 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: February 23, 1994
Emirates ATP Ranking: 87
Indian Wells W-L (Best Result-Year): Main draw debut

• The 22-year-old is making his tournament debut and one of 11 Frenchmen in main draw
• Advanced to 5th ATP World Tour singles QF at Brisbane (d. Goffin, l. to Raonic)
• Reached 1st doubles SF of career at Australian Open w/Mannarino (d. Bolelli/Fognini and Rojer/Tecau, l. to J. Murray/Soares)
• Fell to 0-3 lifetime at Australian Open with 1R loss to Raonic
• Qualified at Dubai (l. to Pospisil in 1R)

[WC] Frances Tiafoe (USA) vs [WC] Taylor Fritz (USA) First ATP Meeting

This is the first professional meeting between the two youngest players in the Top 200 Emirates ATP Rankings and in this year’s draw. They have played three previous times in juniors:

2014 USTA Boys’ 18s Nationals (Kalamazoo) 5th Place Tiafoe d. Fritz 67(1) 63 10-5
2014 Easter Bowl (Indian Wells) QFs Tiafoe d. Fritz 36 76(5) 62
2013 Pan American Final (Tulsa) Final Tiafoe d. Fritz 63 60

ALL TEENAGE MATCH-UPS (since 2000) – This is only the fourth all-teenager match in Indian Wells going back to 2000 and it’s the first in eight years:

2016 1R – Taylor Fritz (18) vs. Frances Tiafoe (18)
2008 1R – Marin Cilic (19) d. Kei Nishikori (18) 62 64
2007 SF – Novak Djokovic (19) d. Andy Murray (19) 62 63
2007 3R – Novak Djokovic (19) d. Evgeny Korolev (19) 62 61

Tiafoe 2016 FastFacts:
YTD W-L: 0-1 (0-1 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: January 20, 1998
Emirates ATP Ranking: 177
Indian Wells W-L (Best Result-Year): Main draw debut

• Youngest player in draw (at 18 yrs., 1 mon.) and Top 200 Emirates ATP Rankings at No. 177 is making his tournament debut (also first ATP Masters 1000 tournament)
• Fell 64 in 3rd to countryman Harrison in Memphis 1R after holding 1 MP
• Advanced to consecutive Challenger QFs at Maui (l. to Duckworth) and Dallas, USA (l. to Ito)
• Earned biggest win of career by ranking over No. 77 Groth in Dallas Challenger 1R
• Beat fellow Next Generation player Donaldson in Australian Open qualifying 1R (l. to Gojowczyk in qualifying 2R)

Fritz 2016 FastFacts:
F: Memphis (l Nishikori); QF: Acapulco (l Querrey)
YTD W-L: 6-4 (6-4 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: October 28, 1997
Emirates ATP Ranking: 80 (Career-high)
Indian Wells W-L (Best Result-Year): Main draw debut

• Second-youngest player in draw (at 18 yrs., 4 mon.) and Top 200 Emirates ATP Rankings at No. 80 is making his tournament debut (also first ATP Masters 1000 tournament). Last year received a wild card into Indian Wells qualifying (ranked No. 941) and reached 2R (d. Sela, l. to de Bakker)
• Last month advanced to 1st ATP World Tour final in 3rd tour-level event at Memphis as WC (d. Berankis in 3 sets, l. to No. 7 Nishikori). Afterwards jumped from 145 to 102 in Emirates ATP Rankings
• At 18 years, 109 days, became youngest ATP finalist since Nishikori won 2008 Delray Beach (18 years, 50 days)
• Also the youngest American in an ATP final since 17-year-old Chang won 1989 Wembley
• Advanced to 2nd ATP QF at Acapulco as Q (d. Chardy and Estrella Burgos, l. to Querrey). Afterwards broke Top 100 on Feb. 29 at No. 81
• Youngest player in Top 100 of Emirates ATP Rankings, rising to career-high No. 80 on March 7
• Rallied from 04 down in 3rd to beat M. Zverev and qualify for 1st major at Australian Open (l. to Sock in 1R)
• Started season by capturing 3rd ATP Challenger Tour title at Happy Valley, AUS (d. Sela)

[Q] Tim Smyczek (USA) vs [WC] Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) First Meeting

Smyczek 2016 FastFacts:
QF: Delray Beach (l Querrey)
YTD W-L: 3-3 (3-3 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: December 30, 1987
Emirates ATP Ranking: 116
Indian Wells W-L (Best Result-Year): 3-6 (2R – 2011, ’14-15)

• The 28-year-old Wisconsin native is making his seventh straight tournament appearance (3-6 record) and his best result is 2R on three occasions – 2011 (d. Marchenko, l. to Kohlschreiber), 2014 (d. Sock, l. to Dolgopolov) and last year (d. Becker, l. to Kohlschreiber). This is 4th time he’s qualified (2010-11-12)
• Last month, advanced to 2nd ATP World Tour QF of career at Delray Beach as WC (d. Fritz and Young, l. to eventual champion Querrey)
• Qualified at Australian Open for 2nd straight year and reached 2R (d. Gimeno-Traver, l. to Troicki)
• Reached Dallas, USA Challenger SF (d. Krueger, Harrison and Matosevic; l. to Edmund)

del Potro 2016 FastFacts:
SF: Delray Beach (l Querrey)
YTD W-L: 3-1 (3-1 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 18
Date of Birth: September 23, 1988
Emirates ATP Ranking: 420
Indian Wells W-L (Best Result-Year): 16-5 (Finalist – 2013)

• The 27-year-old Argentine is making his sixth appearance in Indian Wells, first since 2013 when he reached the final (d. No. 3 Murray, No. 1 Djokovic, l. to Nadal). Also SF in 2011 (l. to Nadal) and QF in 2009 (l. to Nadal) and 2012 (l. to Federer)
• Last month, defeated Kudla, Smith and Chardy at Delray Beach in comeback from wrist surgeries (l. to eventual champion Querrey in SF). Underwent left wrist surgery on Jan. 20 and June 18 last year
• Returned for 1st tournament since 2015 ATP Masters 1000 Miami and 3rd since 2014 Dubai
• Rose from No. 1,042 to No. 420 in Emirates ATP Rankings on February 22 after Delray Beach

STADIUM 2

Almagro 2016 FastFacts:
F: Buenos Aires (l Thiem)
YTD W-L: 6-5 (1-2 on hard, 5-3 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 12
Date of Birth: August 21, 1985
Emirates ATP Ranking: 61
Indian Wells W-L (Best Result-Year): 8-6 (QF – 2012)

• The 30-year-old Spaniard comes in with an 8-6 career record in Indian Wells and his best result is QFs in 2012 (d. No. 7 Berdych, l. to Djokovic). Playing here for 1st time since 2013 (l. to Haas in 3R)
• Advanced to 1st ATP World Tour final since 2014 Houston at Buenos Aires (l. to Thiem 76 in 3rd). Beat No. 9 Tsonga in QF and No. 6 Ferrer in SF to snap 6-match losing streak vs. Top 10 (19-65 overall)
• Reached 2R at Australian Open (l. to Thiem) and Rio de Janeiro (l. to No. 5 Nadal)

Cervantes 2016 FastFacts:
SF: Sao Paulo (l Carreno Busta)
YTD W-L: 5-6 (0-2 on hard, 5-4 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: November 30, 1989
Emirates ATP Ranking: 59 (Career-high)
Indian Wells W-L (Best Result-Year): Main draw debut

• The 26-year-old from Javea (birthplace of Ferrer) is one of 11 Spaniards in main draw and making his tournament debut. Ranked a career-high No. 59
• Last month in Sao Paulo, beat 2014 champion Delbonis 76(6) 26 64 in 1st ATP World Tour QF (l. to Carreño Busta in 1st SF)
• Defeated Riba in Quito 1R for 1st tour-level win since 2014 Barcelona (l. to Carreño Busta in 2R)
• Fell to Donskoy in Australian Open 1R, his 1st Grand Slam main draw match since 2012 Wimbledon
• Reached 1st career ATP World Tour doubles final w/Lorenzi at Buenos Aires (l. to Cabal/Farah)

Kyle Edmund (GBR) vs Guido Pella (ARG) First Meeting

Edmund 2016 FastFacts:
QF: Doha (l Berdych)
YTD W-L: 2-2 (2-2 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: January 8, 1995
Emirates ATP Ranking: 82 (Career-high)
Indian Wells W-L (Best Result-Year): Main draw debut

• The 21-year-old British No. 3 (behind No. 2 Murray, No. 51 Bedene) is making his Indian Wells debut
• Advanced to 1st ATP World Tour QF of career at Doha as Q (d. Muñoz de la Nava 76 in 3rd, l. to No. 6 Berdych). Then fell in 5 sets to Dzumhur in Australian Open 1R
• Followed run to Maui, USA Challenger final (l. to Wu) with 4th Challenger title at Dallas, USA (d. countryman Evans). Did not drop a set en route to title in Dallas, including wins over Bangoura, McGee, Zemlja and Smyczek
• Achieved career-high No. 82 in Emirates ATP Rankings on February 22

Pella 2016 FastFacts:
F: Rio de Janeiro (l Cuevas)
YTD W-L: 6-4 (2-1 on hard, 4-3 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: May 17, 1990
Emirates ATP Ranking: 40 (Career-high)
Indian Wells W-L (Best Result-Year): 0-1 (1R – 2013)

• The 25-year-old Argentine is making his first main draw appearance in Indian Wells since 2013 when he came in as a qualifier (l. to Dodig in 1R). Two years ago, lost in 2R qualifying (l. to Polansky)
• One of eight Argentines in main draw
• Last month, broke through to reach 1st career ATP World Tour final at Rio de Janeiro (d. Thiem, l. to Cuevas in 3 sets). Saved 3 MPs in Rio de Janeiro 1R to beat No. 11 Isner 76(5) 57 76(8)
• Achieved career-high No. 40 in Emirates ATP Rankings on March 7
• Made winning Davis Cup debut to open Argentina’s 3-2 victory over Poland in 1R (d. Przysiezny)
• Earned 1st Australian Open win and 2nd overall at a Grand Slam by beating Darcis in 5 sets. Lost to Lopez 76(2) 67(4) 76(3) 67(8) 64 in 2R

Hyeon Chung (KOR) vs Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP) Chung Leads 1-0
15 Nottingham (Great Britain) Grass R64 Hyeon Chung 6-4 7-6(6)

Chung 2016 FastFacts:
YTD W-L: 5-6 (5-6 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: May 19, 1996
Emirates ATP Ranking: 64
Indian Wells W-L (Best Result-Year): Main draw debut

• The 19-year-old Korean is making his main draw debut. Countryman Hyung-Taik Lee reached 4R in 2008, best result by a Korean in tournament history
• Last month, earned biggest win of career by ranking over No. 34 Garcia-Lopez in Rotterdam 1R (l. to Troicki in 2R)
• Also advanced to 2R at Brisbane (d. Groth, l. to Cilic) and Dubai (d. Seppi, l. to Bautista Agut)
• Swept 6 sets to defeat Venus and Statham in Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Zone Group I (KOR d. NZL 3-1
• Fell to eventual champion Djokovic in 1R of Australian Open debut
• Qualified and earned 1st 2 ATP doubles wins of career at Dubai w/Vesely, falling to Lopez/Lopez in SF

Ramos-Vinolas 2016 FastFacts:
SF: Quito (l Estrella Burgos)
YTD W-L: 5-7 (1-3 on hard, 4-4 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: January 17, 1988
Emirates ATP Ranking: 49
Indian Wells W-L (Best Result-Year): 5-3 (3R – 2012, ‘15)

• The 28-year-old Spaniard is making his fourth appearance (5-3 record) and his best result is 3R in 2012 debut (d. No. 16 Gasquet in 2R, l. to Andujar) and last year (l. to Djokovic)
• Last month, rallied from 2-5 down in 3rd set to beat Ram, then upset Lopez en route to Quito SFs (l. to Estrella Burgos)
• Earned 1st win in 5th appearance at Australian Open (d. Coric, l. to Cilic)
• Held 1 MP before falling to Mathieu in 1st match of season at Doha

STADIUM 3

Other meeting:
08 Belo Horizonte CH (Brazil) Hard R16 Leonardo Mayer 6-7(1) 7-6(7) 7-5

Groth 2016 FastFacts:
YTD W-L: 1-7 (1-6 on hard, 0-1 on grass)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: October 19, 1987
Emirates 2016 ATP Ranking: 77
Indian Wells W-L (Best Result-Year): 0-2 (1R – 2014-15)

• The 28-year-old Aussie is looking for his first main draw win in Indian Wells after 1R losses in 2014 (l. to Kukushkin) as a qualifier and last year (l. to Gimeno-Traver)
• Started 2016 season with 1-7 record, scoring lone win in Australian Open 1R (d. Mannarino, l. to No. 2 Murray)
• Fell to Isner in opening rubber of Davis Cup 1R (USA d. AUS 3-1)
• Held 3 MPs vs. Rubin in Delray Beach 1R before losing 64 46 76(6)
• In doubles, served as partner to Hewitt in countryman’s last match at Australian Open (l. to Pospisil/Sock in 3R)

Mayer 2016 FastFacts:
QF: Doha (l Djokovic)
YTD W-L: 5-5 (4-4 on hard, 1-1 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 1
Date of Birth: May 15, 1987
Emirates 2016 ATP Ranking: 46
Indian Wells W-L (Best Result-Year): 3-2 (3R – 2013)

• The 28-year-old Argentine is making his fourth Indian Wells appearance and his best result is 3R in 2013 (d. Malisse, Youzhny, W/O vs. Nadal due to back injury), his last desert visit. Made debut in 2010 (l. to countryman Dabul) and in 2012 reached 2R (d. Falla, l. to Nadal)
• Extended Davis Cup winning streak to 11 matches by beating Poland’s Hurkacz and Przysiezny in 1R road tie (ARG d. POL 3-2)
• Started season with run to Doha QF (l. to eventual champion Djokovic)
• Went 1-5 in next 6 matches following Doha 2R win over Andujar
• Loss to No. 9 Tsonga in Buenos Aires 2R was 8th straight defeat against a Top 10 opponent (1-24 overall)

Diego Schwartzman (ARG) vs Robin Haase (NED) Haase Leads 1-0
13 Hamburg (Germany) Clay R64 Robin Haase 7-6(3) 4-6 7-5

Schwartzman 2016 FastFacts:
YTD W-L: 3-4 (0-1 on hard, 3-3 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: August 16, 1992
Emirates 2016 ATP Ranking: 84
Indian Wells W-L (Best Result-Year): 1-1 (2R – 2015)

• The 23-year-old Argentine is playing in Indian Wells for second straight year after reaching 2R last season (d. Janowicz, l. to Federer)
• Won 1R matches at 3 of 4 events to start 2016 season: Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, all on clay
• Advanced to QF at Canberra, AUS Challenger, retiring down a set to Muñoz de la Nava due to right hand injury
• Retired while leading Millman 63 75 67(2) 05 in Australian Open 1R due to cramping

Haase 2016 FastFacts:
QF: Acapulco (l Dolgopolov)
YTD W-L: 5-7 (5-7 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 2
Date of Birth: April 6, 1987
Emirates 2016 ATP Ranking: 57
Indian Wells W-L (Best Result-Year): 4-6 (3R – 2015)

• The 28-year-old Dutchman is making his sixth straight Indian Wells appearance (seventh overall) and last year turned in a personal-best 3R showing (d. Bolt, No. 7 Wawrinka, l. to Rosol in 3rd set TB). Made his debut in 2008 as a qualifier (d. Vemic, l. to Monaco in 2R)
• In last tournament advanced to QF in Acapulco (d. Patino and Bedene, l. to Dolgopolov)
• Also reached 2R at Doha (l. to No. 5 Nadal), Auckland (l. to Anderson) and Marseille (l. to Cilic)
• Lost in Australian Open 1R for 5th straight season (l. to Basic)

Illya Marchenko (UKR) vs [PR] Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) First ATP Meeting

Other meetings:
12 Izmir CH (Turkey) Hard F Dmitry Tursunov 7-6(4) 6-7(5) 6-3
13 ATP Masters 1000 Rome Q (Italy) Clay — Illya Marchenko 3-4 ret

Marchenko 2016 FastFacts:
SF: Doha (l Nadal); QF: Acapulco (l Tomic)
YTD W-L: 7-5 (7-5 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: September 8, 1987
Emirates ATP Ranking: 72
Indian Wells W-L (Best Result-Year): 0-1 (1R – 2011)

• The 28-year-old Ukrainian is making his second main draw appearance in Indian Wells, first since 2011 when he lost to Smyczek in 1R. Since then, lost in 1R qualifying in 2012 and ‘13
• In opening week of season, advanced to 3rd career ATP World Tour SF – 1st since 2010 – at Doha (d. No. 7 Ferrer in 1R, l. to No. 5 Nadal). Win over Ferrer was 1st of career over a Top 10 player (1-5 overall)
• Reached QF in Acapulco (d. Paul and Harrison, l. to Tomic)
• Has already won 7 tour-level matches in 2016, most in a season since winning 18 in 2010

Tursunov 2016 FastFacts:
YTD W-L: 1-2 (1-2 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 7
Date of Birth: December 12, 1982
Emirates ATP Ranking: 581
Indian Wells W-L (Best Result-Year): 4-8 (3R – 2009, ‘14)

• The 33-year-old Russian is making his ninth appearance in Indian Wells and in his last visit two years ago reached 3R (bye, d. Monaco, l. to No. 8 Federer). Also 3R in 2009 (d. Russell, l. to No. 1 Nadal)
• In last tournament, earned 1st singles win since 2014 ’s-Hertogenbosch by beating Groth in Acapulco 1R (l. to eventual champion Thiem in 2R)
• Retired in Australian Open 1R vs. No. 4 Wawrinka with left foot injury, which sidelined him for much of 2015
• Started season by falling in final round of qualifying at Bangkok, THA Challenger (l. to Nielsen)

Rajeev Ram (USA) vs [Q] Noah Rubin (USA) First Meeting

Ram 2016 FastFacts:
F: Delray Beach (l Querrey)
YTD W-L: 6-6 (5-5 on hard, 1-1 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 2
Date of Birth: March 18, 1984
Emirates ATP Ranking: 63
Indian Wells W-L (Best Result-Year): 0-2 (1R – 2010, ‘14)

• The 31-year-old American is looking for his first main draw win after 1R losses in 2010 (l. to Koellerer) and 2014 (l. to Zeballos)
• Last month, defeated Tomic and Dimitrov en route to 3rd ATP World Tour singles final at Delray Beach (l. to Querrey). Afterwards, achieved career-high No. 60 in Emirates ATP Rankings on February 22
• Upset No. 12 Anderson (via retirement), also a former University of Illinois star, in Australian Open 1R (l. to Robert 75 in 5th)
• Earned 1st singles win of career on clay over Zeballos in Quito 1R (l. to Ramos-Viñolas 75 in 3rd)
• In doubles, beat Bryan/Bryan for 1st time in 8 meetings to reach Australian Open QF w/Klaasen (l. to eventual champions J. Murray/Soares 76 in 3rd)

Rubin 2016 FastFacts
YTD W-L: 2-2 (2-2 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: February 21, 1996
Emirates ATP Ranking: 205 (Career-high)
Indian Wells W-L (Best Result-Year): Main draw debut

• The 20-year-old American qualified into his first career ATP Masters 1000 tournament with a pair of straight-set wins over Mikhail Ledovskikh and countryman Dennis Novikov. By qualifying into main draw, will pick up 16 Emirates ATP Ranking points and will break Top 200 after Indian Wells
• Has jumped from No. 340 at end of last year to a career-high No. 205 entering tournament
• Opened season with 2R at Canberra Challenger (l. to Donskoy) and followed with 2R at Australian Open where he upset No. 18-ranked Benoit Paire in three tie-breaks (l. to Herbert in 2R)
• Returned to Challenger in Maui and advanced to SF (l. to eventual champion Wu)
• Received wild card into Delray Beach and beat Groth in third set tie-break (saving three MPs) and lost to Chardy in 2R
• Played in U.S. Futures #8 event on clay at end of last month and reached final (l. to Collarini)

The ATP Board of Directors has appointed Chris Kermode as ATP Executive Chairman & President for a second consecutive term, the ATP announced on Thursday.

Kermode began his first three-year term in the role of ATP Executive Chairman & President in January 2014, and the extension now sees him working through 2019. During his initial term, Kermode has overseen significant growth for the ATP. Only last year, an all-time record 4.5 million fans attended ATP World Tour events, while more than 1 billion television viewers tuned in throughout the season.

“I’ve taken great pleasure in leading the ATP since 2014, and I’m delighted to continue in my role as Executive Chairman & President,” said Kermode. “I’d like to thank the Board of Directors for its vote of confidence and support as we look to continue to maximise growth opportunities in the years ahead. Just as importantly, I look forward to working with the other governing bodies of tennis to continue to protect the integrity of our sport.”

In securing long-term prize money agreements and calendars through 2018, Kermode has successfully delivered stable and sustainable outcomes for the Tour on two of its most decisive matters. Prize money levels on the ATP World Tour are set to reach a record US$ 135 million by 2018.

Kermode has also been instrumental in overseeing a period of unprecedented growth in commercial sponsorship for the ATP World Tour. In 2015, the ATP secured US$ 160 million in new sponsorship revenue over the next five years, including a five-year partnership with award-winning airline Emirates as the Tour’s Premier Partner.

Roger Federer, the longest-serving ATP World No. 1, said, “Chris has done an excellent job and shown great leadership since heading up the ATP. The Tour is in great shape and I’m pleased to see that he will serve a second term.”

Kermode has also prioritised the lower levels of professional tennis in recent years, overseeing a long-term plan to implement a number of enhancements on the ATP Challenger Tour. Minimum prize money levels on the Challenger Tour are set to reach US$ 50K (+ Hospitality) by 2017, while a number of investments are being made to ensure improved tournament swings, enhanced officiating and player services, and greater marketing.

Justin Gimelstob, ATP Board Player Representative, said: “Chris has done an excellent job as the head of ATP. The Tour is in great health, and today’s announcement provides stability and continuity at the helm of the organisation – an important consideration for the Board.”

Mark Webster, ATP Board Tournament Representative, said: “The Tour has achieved multiple successes under Chris’ leadership since 2014. We look forward to continuing our work together as we set out a long-term vision for the Tour through 2019 and beyond.”

Kermode will continue to be based out of the ATP’s office in London.

The last time Rafael Nadal clutched the BNP Paribas Open trophy in Indian Wells it was a punctuation mark on a successful return from a seven-month injury lay-off. It was 2013, and his three-set triumph over Juan Martin del Potro marked his third straight title of the season and a springboard to cementing the year-end Emirates ATP World No. 1 Ranking.

Three years on, the Spaniard returns to Indian Wells as the No. 4 seed with a 44-8 record in the desert. He begins his quest for a fourth BNP Paribas Open against either Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller or Victor Estrella Burgos of the Dominican Republic.

“I am practising hard and happy to be here with time and doing the right things [to prepare],” Nadal said. “I lost two matches at the beginning of the season that I could win and should probably win.

“I feel ready to keep going mentally and physically. I’m excited to be in Indian Wells, a tournament I love so much.”

Clay-court defeats to Dominic Thiem and Pablo Cuevas back-to-back in Brazil will have little bearing on Nadal as he contests his first hard-court event since his surprise first-round loss to compatriot Fernando Verdasco at the Australian Open. He could meet Verdasco – his Indian Wells doubles partner – again in the third round.

“South America was crazy humidity. It was very difficult to play in those extreme conditions – the temperatures and humidity were so high,” Nadal said. “I’m much better than last year in terms of personal feelings. Last year I was so nervous when I was competing. 

“This year I lost matches that I believed I could win, but I was prepared and didn’t have those negative feelings in terms of being without control of my breathing and being too nervous. This year I didn’t have the best possible results but I’m working hard to change that.”

Reflecting on the confidence boost his third BNP Paribas Open delivered in 2013, Nadal predicted the player he defeated in that final, del Potro, could similarly use his return to Indian Wells to bolster his mindset in a long road back from injury. The Argentine is contesting just his second tournament since wrist surgery curtailed his 2015 season.

“It was obvious in the first tournament he played he did amazing, reaching the semi-finals [in Delray Beach], winning some great matches against tough players after a long time,” Nadal said. “When I arrived here in 2013 I never thought I’d have a chance to win the title. He can do it, yes.

“It’s true that he has amazing potential and amazing tennis. He has the level to do it if he’s playing well.”

In his 12^th consecutive Indian Wells appearance, Tomas Berdych is keen to make an impact at the BNP Paribas Open. Despite having started 2016 with a 12-5 record, the 2013 semi-finalist believes that he still has more to give.

“I’m trying to work on being a bit more aggressive, a bit more risky,” said Berdych, No. 7 in the Emirates ATP Rankings. “I have to do a little extra to raise my level and to do better.”

The powerful baseliner has made the quarter-finals or better in each of his four tournaments on the year, but has yet to reach a final and is looking for his first title since 2015 Stockholm (d. Sock). Another good reason for the 6’5” Czech to take a few more chances than usual: his lone ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title came in Paris in 2005, when he downed Ivan Ljubicic in five sets.

“Since you’re coming from Europe, you have a few more days before the tournament starts, so you can really take your time to prepare the way you want,” said Berdych, who helped the Czech Republic move into the Davis Cup quarter-finals with an away win in Germany last week. “The conditions are quite fast but it suits my game. I can play aggressively [here].”

Berdych, who has made the trip to the Californian desert every year since his debut in 2005, noted the tournament’s commitment to serving both players and fans.

“The tournament tries very hard to listen to the players and to make us feel at home,” Berdych said. “To have an event like this, it’s really nice. The organisers work really hard to promote the event and to get a lot of visitors here, which is very important. It’s always one of the best-attended events of the year.”