Roger Federer has won 42 career titles in 14 different countries. None of them have come in Spain.
The world's top-ranked player is hoping to reverse that trend at the US$2.45-million Madrid Masters, which begins Monday, but it won't be easy.
The Madrid field includes 18 of the world's top 20 players, including defending champion Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard is 6-2 against Federer _ 4-1 in 2006. The last time they met, Federer beat Nadal in the Wimbledon final.
``I think Rafa is the player with the advantage at home,'' Federer said Sunday. ``He holds the title and he will defend it, so all I can hope is this year I can play well because it's going to be a difficult tournament for everyone.''
Federer, who won his ninth title of the year last week at the Japan Open, has never reached the final in Madrid, which is played indoors.
``The key for me is to get through the first rounds,'' Federer said. ``I really like this surface and I play well on it. Though it's been three or four years since I played here, I had a good time, and if things smile on me I hope to go and win one match at a time.''
Nadal is hoping the local fans will help him win the title again _ like they did last year when he came back from two sets down to beat Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia.
``I would love to retain the title in Madrid, but this time all the world's best will be here and the surface isn't my favourite,'' Nadal said. ``Last year, I'd practically lost the final and the support of the fans helped me turn the match around.''
Nadal hasn't won a title since he beat Federer in the French Open final in May.
Before he gets another chance to beat Federer, Nadal will likely have to face players like American Andy Roddick.
``Federer will only preoccupy me if I make it to the final, and I have to play some difficult matches before that against some of the best players in the world,'' Nadal said.
The Spaniard is also entered in the doubles draw with countryman Feliciano Lopez. They're scheduled to play third-seeded Daniel Nestor of Toronto and Mark Knowles of the Bahamas in the first round.
The tournament will use video replays to decide close line calls for the first time.
The Hawk-Eye technology allows players to challenge and review calls, and has been in use at three Masters Series events in North America, the U.S. Open, six other ATP events and last week's Kremlin Cup in Moscow.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
