The first ATP Masters 1000 event is about to begin and tennis' March Madness ensues. Who did the writers of VAVEL USA pick to win the men's draw? Find out below.

Who is the favorite? After looking at the draw, who are they most likely to lose to and why?

Thomas Cluck: It's hard to bet against world number one and four-time BNP Paribas Open champion Novak Djokovic. Djokovic was dominant last year, and has kept up his extraordinarily high level in 2016, winning titles in Doha and at the Australian Open. Djokovic has a fairly easy draw, but a tough quarterfinal matchup with big hitting Frenchmen Jo-Wilfried Tsonga lurks. Either way, Djokovic should get through that match, and look for the world number one to claim his third consecutive title in the Californian desert.

Burak Busche: Novak Djokovic is the favorite. If the eye injury he had suffered is not bothering him, he is clearly the best player on tour and especially on hard courts where he has played amazing. Dominic Thiem is a big threat to Djokovic in his half because he is playing with serious confidence. A potential meeting against Andy Murray in the final could prove to be a problem as he is a great hard court player. 

James Froud: Bit boring and repetitive, but Novak Djokovic has to start as favourite to defend his Indian Wells 2015 crown. He’ll be boosted by another good looking draw, but a potential quarterfinal clash with rising star Dominic Thiem could be interesting. Get through that, it will be difficult to see him losing before the final. 

Pathik Gamana: Novak Djokovic is the favourite.

Brooks Giardina: The favorite to win the title is as always, Novak Djokovic. His consistent dominance has given him an 8,000 point lead over world number two, Andy Murray. If Novak is to lose, Andy Murray, Dominic Thiem, Gilles Simon, or Stan Wawrinka will be the one to upset the defending champion.

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Who is the dark horse for the title and why?

TC: Canadian number one Milos Raonic has looked much better in 2016, showing improved fitness and a more well-rounded game. Raonic has had a booming start to 2016, making the semifinals of the Australian Open, losing a heartbreaker in five sets to Andy Murray. Raonic hasn't played since that last four match due to an abductor injury, but expect last year's semfinalist to come out all guns blazing and put up another deep run in Indian Wells. 

BBKei Nishikori, the Japanese player has shown consistency at the top level. As a former US Open finalist, he knows how to play well on the hard courts. If he can remain patient on the baseline, he has a chance to win the title. 

JF: Probably jumping the gun a bit early, but Nick Kyrgios has been in frightening form recently. Unsure how fit he actually is after missing last weekend’s Davis Cup tie, but if he’s back up to speed then he could become a dark horse… 

PG: Andy Murray is the dark horse because he is capable of putting a good run together and playing some of his best tennis against the top 10 and dangerous players outside the top 10. 

BG: Dominic Thiem is my dark horse to win this title. He is fresh off two ATP singles titles, one ATP semifinal, and Davis Cup tie wins against Portugal. 

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Which top 10 seed has the most difficult draw and why?

TC: Czech sixth seed Tomas Berdych has a nightmare draw, with a potenital second round matchup with the recently returning former US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro. Berdych, who is already carrying a leg injury from last weekend's Davis Cup tie, could then face dangerous lefty Thomaz Bellucci in the third round. The Czech could then face the big serve of Milos Raonic in the fourth round, before a quarterfinal matchup with nemesis Andy Murray. With a horrific draw and a recent leg injury, Berdych's hopes of getting out of this quarter are extremely slim for the Czech. 

BB: Nadal has a tough draw. He could face a tough first round match in Gilles Muller. Verdasco who took out Nadal at the Australian Open is in the same quarter as well as the dangerous Martin Klizan. A possible Gilles Simon meeting could happen as well which gives the Frenchman a chance because he likens the conditions.

JF: Has to be Tomas Berdych, who retired midway through his second singles rubber in the recent Davis Cup match against Germany. Juan Martin Del Potro is a potential second round opponent, with youngster Borna Coric possibly next up. Another big-server Milos Raonic is projected as his fourth round foe, with Kyrgios or Murray likely to be his quarterfinal opponent. Not the type of draw you want to be given when you’re not fully fit! 

PG: John Isner has a tough draw because if he gets through his matches and Kei does, then he will face the Japanese, and he could also face Seppi, Young, Rosol and Mannarino who are capable of giving the American a good match.

BG:  John Isner is faced with the toughest draw amongst the top 10 seeds. His potential draw is Young or Seppi, Paire, then Nishikori. If John Isner is to get past his first three rounds against in-form players, he will be one to look out for. 

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Which non-seeded player could make a run into the second week and why?

TC: With the big stage experience of former US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro, the Argentine looks set to announce he's back with a deep run in Indian Wells. Del Potro began his comeback a few weeks ago in Delray Beach, showing glimpses of his best in a semifinal run in Florida. Though Del Potro could face sixth seeded Czech Tomas Berdych in the second round, expect the Argentine to take advantage of Berdych's injury from last week and make a deep run in the California desert.

BB: Leonardo Mayer has a somewhat favorable draw for a non-seeded player. He should win his first round match against Groth and is equally matched against Troicki. His quarter also has Cilic who is has been struggling with a 9-7 record on the season. He has experience, so if he can take it one match at a time he has a shot to make a run.

JF: Former US Open champion Del Potro made a successful return to the tour in Delray Beach, and is always a player to keep an eye-on. As mentioned above, Berdych could be an early opponent, but with the Czech not 100%, ‘Del Po’ will like his chances. A meeting against Raonic later on will give a rough idea of where his game currently is. Taylor Fritz is one to keep an eye out for too!

PG: Sam Groth because when he is at his best serving that could help the rest of his game and give him confidence.

BG: Taylor Fritz could make a deep run into the second week if he continues his recent performances. He starts his Indian Wells campaign against fellow American wildcard Frances Tiafoe. His second round opponent would be a tough one in David Goffin, but Goffin is fresh off clay and has struggled on the hard courts. If Taylor Fritz were to pass Goffin, he would set up a contest with an in-form Cuevas, but once again Fritz’s opponent would be a dirt baller opposed to his comfort on the hard courts. Fritz won the Easter Bowl on the grounds of Indian Wells last year. Taylor Fritz carries the most momentum amongst the unseeded players. 

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Which first round matchup intrigues you the most and why?

TC: The battle of the young Americans with Francis Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz promises to be the highlight of the opening round. Tiafoe and Fritz, both eighteen, have came up in the same generation of great young American talent, along with Tommy Paul, Reilly Opelka, Stefan Kozlov, Jared DonaldsonNoah Rubin, and Michael Mmoh. With loads of American talent rising in the ranks, the players have pushed each other tremendousluy, with Fritz and Tiafoe on top so far. The two have played countless times in practice and as juniors, and with the big games of the two, this matchup promises to be the one to watch early in Indian Wells. 

BB: A wildcard matchup between Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe is a must watch. The two are rising Americans who are a part of the next generation. It will be interesting to see who will come up with the goods and get important ranking points.

JF: Frances Tiafoe - Taylor Fritz.

PG: Tiafoe-Fritz because it's the battle of the young Americans and will be interesting to see how they get on.

BG: Jared Donaldson will face Vasek Pospisil in the first round. Although Pospisil is a great hard court tennis player, the young American, Donaldson, has potential with a big serve and forehand and the home-crowd for support. This is a huge opportunity for Donaldson to boost his ATP ranking if he pulls off the upset. 

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Which young gun/rising star puts their name on the map or proves they’re the real deal and why? Note: Must be 22 or younger

TC: Big-serving young American Taylor Fritz will solidify many expert's praise of the eighteen year old. Fritz had a great junior career, making the finals of the junior French Open and winning the US Open. A few weeks ago in Memphis, the American had a huge week, making the finals, putting himself on the pro tennis radar. Expect Fritz to justify the hype and to make a deep run in Indian Wells.

BB: Dominic Thiem is on a tear this season. He could very well be a future world number one if he keeps up a steady incline. With a two titles already I think he is coming into Indian Wells with even more to prove. Expect solid play from the young Austrian.

JF: Just highlighted his talents, but it has to be Taylor Fritz again. He’s already put his name out there after reaching the final in Memphis, but a run at a Masters 1000 event will make everyone sit up and take notice. Tiafoe is an exciting, but winnable opening round, with David
Goffin looming next up. Don’t be surprised to see him take on Stan Wawrinka in the fourth round!

PG: Fritz because in recent weeks he has been playing some great tennis, which shows in his run to the Memphis final and quarterfinals at Abierto Mexicano Telcel and making the top 100 for the first time. 

BG: Borna Coric will most likely break through this tournament. His first two rounds are very much winnable. If he gets to the third round, an interesting battle against Tomas Berdych will be one to watch. 

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Which top 10 seed gets upset first and why?

TC: With Tomas Berdych having recently sustained a leg inury and an extremely tricky potential second round meeting with Juan Martin Del Potro, the Czech sixth seed looks on his way to an early loss. Berdych, who's never has teriffic results in the California desert, has a trick draw and with a leg injury added on top of that, expect the Czech to be leaving a little earlier than expected. 

BB: John Isner because he has yet to find top form. He also faces the winner of Donald Young or Andreas Seppi. Seppi is a patient player that can be nifty with his off-paced shots. If Isner fails to get a good ground game going, he could get exposed early on.

JF: He has the toughest draw of the top ten seeds, and has injury worries, so Tomas Berdych is the most likely to exit early. Del Potro is a tough enough in the second round, but Borna Coric in a potential third round meeting is not the best when you have fitness issues.

PG: Tomas Berdych because he is injured and had to retire in his Davis Cup match against Philipp Kohlschreiber and Del Potro played well at Delray Beach and could cause the Czech problems with his massive forehand that he has. 

BG: Rafael Nadal will most likely be the first top 10 seed to lose. His third round match-up will be against in-form Martin Klizan who recently won an ATP 500 event or Fernando Verdasco who upset him in Australia earlier this year. 

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Who are your finalists and champion? Why?

TC: In a repeat of this year's Australian Open final, Novak Djokovic could meet Andy Murray in the final. Djokovic has a pretty easy draw, with his biggest challenge coming in the form of big hitting Frenchmen Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Murray on the other hand, has a tougher draw, with his biggest challenge potentially being the man he beat to reach this year's Aussie Open final, Milos Raonic. Djokovic and Murray should get to the final failry unscathed, and expect Djokovic to keep up his great play over Murray and take his fifth BNP Paribas Open title in straight sets. 

BB: The champion will be Novak Djokovic. He shows an ability to win matches will ease at Indian Wells and on hard courts. With Roger Federer out and Nadal struggling to get back to what he once was, it is on the world number one’s racquet. As a surprising finalist pick, I am choosing Gael Monfils. He is 9-3 on the season and has ambitious goals for this season. With his new team, he has played points more structured. If he gives full effort, he can make a big statement this week.

JF: Think it’ll be another Djokovic - a Swiss player final in Indian Wells for the third successive year, but this time Wawrinka featuring. Both have favorable draws, and Murray may be suffering with fatigue as well as a rough draw through round 3 to the quarters, so it’s tough to see who could really challenge. Unless Stan produces a performance anywhere near his French Open final level, Djokovic will lift yet another title in the Californian desert.

PG: Djokovic and Murray with Djokovic being champion. The reason is because despite some eye injuries, he has been playing extremely well in the past year and the draw has been kind for him this year, although he could come across a tricky Kohlschreiber along the way. 

BG: Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka are my champion and finalist. Novak will face challenges on his road to the final but he will overcome it like it's his norm. Stan Wawrinka will continue his momentum from Dubai and make the finals. I expect an intriguing semifinal against Andy Murray, though. I predict a three-set win from Djokovic in the final to defend his 2015 title.

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About the author
Thomas Cluck
Thomas Cluck is an avid tennis fan who loves to share his passion for the sport through writing. Thomas is from Dallas, TX, and is an tennis agent and PR person. Thomas has been watching tennis for many years and covers the sport daily on his Instagram page @atpwta_tennis.