Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have won 10 of the past 11 Indian Wells titles, and there is a reasonable chance one of them will head into Miami with another. They are the top three seeded players, after all, and the three leading active players with respect to Grand Slam singles championships, having won a staggering total of 39.
But will Djokovic repeat and equal Federer's four victories in the desert? Or will the 33-year-old father of four spring another aggressive and unlikely victory over Djokovic? Or will Nadal, who won his first tournament in nearly nine months, continue his resurgence as he points to Roland Garros? Or will there be a surprise?
Here is the Indian Wells quarter-by-quarter breakdown after the draw was revealed late Tuesday:
First quarter
This is a fascinating section, if not exactly daunting from the No. 1 seed's perspective. Djokovic is joined by top-ranked American John Isner, whom he might see in the fourth round, and the young Australian Davis Cup teammates, Thanasi Kokkinakis and Bernard Tomic, who could meet the Serb in the quarters if No. 8 seed David Ferrer doesn't get there. Another option on that line in the draw: No. 10 seed Marin Cilic, your 2014 US Open champion, who is making his first start of the new season after struggling with a shoulder injury.
Semifinalist prediction: Novak Djokovic
Second quarter
The most interesting man in this sector is Mardy Fish, who is coming back from a wretched two years, during which he struggled with heart palpitations and a debilitating anxiety disorder. He's got a difficult first match against fellow American Ryan Harrison, who has been playing well. The lead players here are No. 4 seed Andy Murray and No. 5 seed Kei Nishikori, who are slated to meet in the quarterfinals. In between, there are a handful of players -- Ernests Gulbis, Fabio Fognini, Dominic Thiem, Feliciano Lopez and Philipp Kohlschreiber -- who could do some damage.
Semifinalist prediction: Kei Nishikori
Third quarter
This is probably the most interesting quarter in terms of sheer uncertainty. The No. 3-seeded Nadal is at the bottom, with No. 6 Milos Raonic at the top. Rafa's task to get to the quarters could involve beating one of three able Frenchmen -- No. 13 Gilles Simon, No. 22 Richard Gasquet and/or No. 31 Jeremy Chardy. Raonic, meanwhile, would line up against dangerous Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round -- unless Australian teenager Nick Kyrgios beats Dimitrov in the second round.
Semifinalist prediction: Milos Raonic
Fourth quarter
It's a Swiss Davis Cup (circa 2014) festival in the bottom quarter: No. 2 Federer and No. 7 Stan Wawrinka at the bottom and top. Worth noting is the possibility of a third-round matchup for Federer against his Aussie tormentor, Andreas Seppi of Italy. That was a third-round match, too, and Seppi was the stunning winner in Melbourne. Wawrinka could see No. 9 seed Tomas Berdych in the fourth round. American Jack Sock, who underwent offseason hip surgery, returns to the court against Yen-Hsun Lu, a tricky comeback match.
Semifinalist prediction: Stan Wawrinka
Semifinal predictions: Djokovic def. Nishikori; Wawrinka def. Raonic
Finals prediction: Djokovic def. Wawrinka