Federer is the top seed in Madrid, the fourth ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament of the season, but it will not be a straightforward path for the Swiss. After a first-round bye, the 33-year-old Federer, who is through to the semi-finals in Istanbul this weekend, could face rising Australian star Nick Kyrgios in the second round. Kyrgios is also enjoying success on the clay this week, through to his first ATP World Tour semi-final in Estoril.
The third round could see Federer face Jeremy Chardy, whom he lost to on clay at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome last year, while 16th seed John Isner also features in that section and boasts a clay-court win over Federer in Davis Cup action three years ago.
Federer, who is chasing his 24th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crown next week, is seeded to face No. 6 Tomas Berdych in the quarter-finals. Berdych was present at Friday evening’s draw at the Caja Magica after starring in the event’s Charity Day alongside David Ferrer, Fernando Verdasco, Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki. The 29-year-old Czech finished runner-up at the Monte-Carlo Country Club last month and lost to Federer in a tight three-set final in Madrid three years ago.
The third-seeded Nadal is looking to win the Madrid title for the third year in a row, after beating Stan Wawrinka in the 2013 final and Kei Nishikori last year. The Spaniard comes into Madrid eager for a return to top form after a shock third-round exit to Fabio Fognini in Barcelona last week.
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