Nadal out to dispel doubts in Madrid

‘King of Clay’ banking on home advantage to regain form.

MADRID:

World number one Rafael Nadal heads into the Madrid Masters this week in the unusual position of searching for his first title on the European clay this season.

The 13-time Grand Slam champion has dominated the surface throughout his career, including an incredible stretch last season which included wins in Barcelona, Madrid, Rome and finally an eighth French Open title at Roland Garros.

However, Nadal has so far struggled this year to bounce back from a back injury that hampered him in losing the Australian Open final to Stanislas Wawrinka in January.

His slump has included surprise defeats to compatriots David Ferrer and Nicolas Almagro at the Monte Carlo Masters and Barcelona Open respectively in recent weeks.

However, he is hoping home advantage will help him recapture his best form and a fourth title in Madrid.

"Spain is my country and every time I play in any tournament here, it is something special,” said Nadal. “The crowd always makes a big difference here.”

Nadal can be dethroned at the top of the world rankings by Novak Djokovic this week, should he fail to reach the quarter-finals and the Serb goes onto to win for the second time in Madrid.

The world number two admitted after losing to Roger Federer in the semi-finals in Monte Carlo that he expected not ‘to play tennis for some time’.

The in-form Swiss duo of Federer and Wawrinka would appear to pose a major threat to Nadal and Djokovic, while Wimbledon champion Andy Murray also returns to action for the first time in a month since failing to propel Great Britain into the semi-finals of the Davis Cup.

Serena feels upbeat after break

Serena Williams returns to defend the title she has won for the past two years after a break from tennis.

"I'm so much better. I took ample time off and I needed it," said Serena.

"I had been playing for such a long time non-stop. It was actually really good for me to get that off. I feel really good and very positive, and I think that's what matters most."

Serena will start off against a qualifier with the tie of the opening round coming on the other side of the draw as third seed Agnieszka Radwanska faces Australian Open semi-finalist Eugenie Bouchard.

Also in that half of the draw, second seed and Australian Open champion Li Na faces Kirsten Flipkins, whilst last year's finalist Maria Sharapova meets Klara Koukalova.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 4^th, 2014.

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