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Indian Wells: Top 8 Men’s Contenders

By Nate Slaymaker

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Mar 8, 2014; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Rafael Nadal (ESP) during his 2nd round match against Radek Stepanek (CZE) during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Nadal won 2-6, 6-4, 7-5. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

8. Rafael Nadal

When Nadal is at his best, and winning hard court titles, he is one of the most aggressive players on tour.

2015 Record: 11-3

Career at Indian Wells: 41-7

Best Finish at Indian Wells: Winner (2013, 2009, 2007)

Nadal has had an up and down season in 2015. At the Australian Open, he lost to Berdych, who he had beat seventeen times in a row. The dramatic loss to Fabio Fognini on the clay courts of Rio was very suprising. Nadal followed that up by winning the title in Buenos Aires against an admittedly weaker field.

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When Nadal is at his best, and winning hard court titles, he is one of the most aggressive players on tour. We haven’t seen that version of the King of Clay this season. Coming off an injury plagued 2014, Nadal has been content to stand 6-8 meters behind the baseline and wear his opponent down with his superb defense. That style of play will not cut it on the hard courts of Indian Wells.

Still, Nadal cannot be counted out. If he finds that next gear and turns himself into the great offensive player we have seen in the past, Nadal could take home his fourth Indian Wells trophy.

Next: Indian Wells: Top Contender #7

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