By Erik Gudris | Thursday, March 6, 2014

 

Several U.S. men, including Jack Sock, find themselves facing off against their fellow Americans in opening round action at Indian Wells.

Photo Credit: Andy Kentla

One thing is for sure after the end of Thursday's action at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells -- there will be American men moving on to the second round.

That's because several U.S. players will be facing off against each other in their opening round matches.

Among them, Jack Sock who will start off the day session taking on Tim Smyczek in Stadium 1. All eyes will be on Sock after he confirmed earlier in the week he is now working with recently retired James Blake.

Blake and Sock played doubles with each other last year on the tour and together in Blake's final professional match at the 2013 U.S. Open.

The all-American meetings continue as Michael Russell takes on Donald Young in the afternoon while U.S. No. 2 Sam Querrey will meet qualifier Alex Kuznetsov in the evening session.

Several more American men will be action as well including Ryan Harrison against Andrey Golubev of Kazakhstan while Rhyne Williams meets France's Jeremy Chardy.

Robby Ginepri, 31, qualified to make his way into the main draw. The former U.S. Open semifinalist will play against another qualifier in France's Paul-Henri Mathieu.

Ginepri now joins Roger Federer, Lleyton Hewitt, Tommy Robredo and Mikhail Youzhny as the only active players to appear in at least one Masters 1000 main draw event since 2001.

Top ranked American John Isner, seeded No. 12 at Indian Wells, is scheduled to compete later in the week.