Lleyton Hewitt would face his countryman Matthew Ebden in his first match in the upcoming tournament at Indian Wells.

These two players have played against each other only once in the past and it was Hewitt who had ended up on the winning side in that encounter. He would be eager to make it 2-0 against his lower ranked partner.

Hewitt had come into the ongoing season firing on all cylinders. He surprised everybody by winning the title in Brisbane. It was Roger Federer who was considered as the top favourite to lift the trophy there, but, Hewitt got better of him in the final and that too in some style.

That title victory helped the Australian superstar climb up the World rankings, but, as has been the case with him over the years, he failed in taking that momentum into the next tournaments.

As far as Ebden is concerned, he would have been very disappointed with the shots that he has played in his last few matches. He has been completely out of nick.

The 26 years old South Africa born player has had 8 matches under his belt this season out of which he has lost 6 and that tells what kind of form he has been in.

He would like his losing streak to end in the match against Hewitt, but, for that, he would have to play way better than how he has played in the recent times.

If the singles world rankings of the two players are compared, there is not a big difference. Hewitt is just about 20 positions higher than Ebden, but, he is certainly more skilled and capable than the latter and if he is even close to his best, he should win the match.