There's no oasis in the California desert for Nick Kyrgios, with the Australian handed one of the toughest draws in recent memory at the Indian Wells ATP tournament.
Regarded as one of the hardest events on tour outside the grand slams, Indian Wells has lived up to its billing for Kyrgios, who could face young gun Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal in consecutive matches.
And even wins in all those fixtures would only get him to a semi-final.
Despite a ranking of 15 in the world, there's little respite for the Canberran in the rare 128-man draw.
A first-round bye is followed by a match-up with Argentine Horacio Zeballos or a qualifier but, from there, the heat gets turned right up at Indian Wells, which borders the Palm Desert.
Towering 18th-ranked Zverev is regarded as a future star of the game and is the only teenager inside the top 20.
Kyrgios downed Djokovic in Acapulco last week in one of the best wins of his career but, even if the Australian can defeat Zverev, a re-match is no guarantee with the Serb likely to play in-form Juan Martin del Potro in round three.
With Federer ranked nine in the world and Nadal fifth, a reprise of their Australian Open final classic could be on the cards - in round four.
If Kyrgios gets to the last eight, the winner of that match awaits.
Meanwhile, compatriot Bernard Tomic has drawn wildcard Bjorn Fratangelo first up with a match-up against 13th seed Tomas Berdych the second-round reward for a win.
Jordan Thompson has drawn Russian veteran Dmitry Tursunov.
Kyrgios at least has few points to defend from the tournament having lost last year in the second round while Tomic, who has slid down the rankings to No.42, made the third round.
The first round starts on Friday (AEDT).
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