Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal set for Madrid Open
Wednesday 4 May 2016 08:50, UK
Andy Murray is prepared to defend his Madrid Open title, but there are big questions to be answered on Spain's clay courts.
With world No 1 Novak Djokovic joining the field as the clear favourite, Murray will have his work cut-out. The competition will also include the clay master Rafael Nadal and a host of up-and-comers.
Sky Sports expert Barry Cowan answered four key questions...
Can Murray beat Nadal on clay?
Barry said: Nadal to win. But Andy has an advantage by playing Rafa in Madrid. Rafa has won the title here before, but he would prefer to play clay court matches in Barcelona, Monte Carlo or Roma.
It's because of the altitude. I remember a Davis Cup semi-final played in Madrid against the United States, Nadal was very vocal that he didn't want it played there. The game becomes quicker, the ball moves quicker, and you have less time. The big servers come into play.
At this present stage with the way that Rafa is playing, only Djokovic is better.
All the top guys are as comfortable on any of the surfaces. Andy has become very comfortable at moving on clay, when previously he was better on hard courts.
He beat Rafa last year, but Rafa was poor. It will be harder this year because Djokovic is playing and Nadal is playing much better.
Are Murray and Nadal poised for a successful clay campaign?
Barry said: The way Andy played in Monte Carlo suggests he will have a great few weeks. This part of the year is easier for him than Indian Wells and Miami because he's looking forward to the French Open. He is a master of peaking. You only have to look at his Grand Slam record - he knows how to peak for the big events.
I didn't really waiver on Nadal last year but I did this February - he played two tournaments in South America which were a real concern. He had worked so hard to push on this year, but it felt like he was putting himself under too much pressure. He had a lack of belief. He needed to back up his talent in Barcelona, and he certainly did.
It's relentless now, the top guys will basically play all the way through from Madrid until the US Open with very little time off.
Are Federer's recurring injuries a concern?
Barry said: The worry is that, once you reach his age, are your little niggles just covering for other injuries? That's three already he's had this year, two injuries and an illness.
As well as taking a toll on his body, it also means he's lacking in matches so he slips further and further behind the other guys who are playing more tennis.
If you look at the glass half-full, it's better to have an injury now than after June. Realistically in the last three or four years, his chances of winning the Australian Open or French Open are going because of the nature of the surfaces. The chances of winning Wimbledon and the US Open are a lot greater.
Can Del Potro recapture past glory?
Barry said: From what I saw at Indian Wells and Miami, he's a long way off. For Del Potro, it's about playing and getting back onto the court. That wrist injury means he still hits far too many sliced backhands.
He's not going to be able to beat the big guys yet. But is that permanent? I can only judge through what I see during matches, and he can't hit over his backhand. He's basically going into battle with two out of three weapons.
He won't beat a top 10 player with only two weapons working. But he's hitting his backhand more, which is encouraging, and he clearly has rediscovered his passion to compete.
