Every World Cup must include a so-called Group of Death, whether or not one actually warrants the name. This year’s Indian Wells men’s draw shows that tennis can hold its own in that department. As you’ve probably heard, the bottom quarter here is a corker: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Juan Martin del Potro, Nick Kyrgios and Alexander Zverev will all compete for one semifinal spot.
It’s an exciting development for fans; the bottom quarter alone would make for one of the season’s most action-packed events. But it’s hardly what new tournament director Tommy Haas and his fellow Indian Wells officials would have hoped for: Come next weekend, only one of these marquee names will still be on the marquee. Let’s take a look at who might take their places.