Indian Wells 2016 draw: Rafael Nadal in potential rematch with Fernando Verdasco at Round of 32 stage

Rafael Nadal could have another classic matchup with compatriot Fernando Verdasco in Round 32 of the Indian Wells Masters.

Nadal could avenge his Australian Open first round loss to Verdasco if both Spaniards meet in Round 16 of the Indian Wells, which kicks off this week. The tournament draw has the fourth seed Nadal taking either France’s Gilles Muller or Dominican Victor Estrella Burgos, while Verdasco must defeat an unknown qualifier and get past Slovak Martin Klizan to set up another potentially epic tennis showdown.

The world No. 5 still has clear memories of his epic Australian Open semifinal win against Verdasco in 2009, which lasted for five hours and 14 minutes. It was also Nadal’s first and only Aussie Open title, beating career rival Roger Federer in the final round of the tournament seven years ago. The thrilling match happened again at this year’s Australian Open but with a different outcome, with Verdasco getting the better of the 29-year-old Mallorcan, who has been out of tennis form for the past two seasons.

In fact, Nadal’s loss to Verdasco earlier this year catapulted to a two-week losing streak, with the King of Clay suffering upsets at the Argentina Open and Rio Open. After his most recent defeat, which was in Brazil against Pablo Cuevas, Nadal admitted he could be lacking confidence heading into the ATP Masters 1000 in California.

"Clearly when you lose two weeks in a row with good chances to qualify for the final it’s never good, I fought until the end, I have had a good mentality accepting difficulties and fighting, but I lacked consistency in the important moments,” Nadal said, reports Tennis World USA. “I lacked a little bit of luck, I hope it goes better.”

Nadal is on a mission to win his first ATP World Tour title this year, but the 14-time Grand Slam winner could see himself in another familiar situation, with Verdasco playing as his major spoiler.