Andy Murray will be joined by some of the worlds top players at the Monte Carlo Masters as the clay season begins on Sky Sports starting Monday. A ninth trophy for Nadal?Spains Rafael Nadal has a sensational record in the event having won an Open Era-record eight successive titles between 2005 and 2012. The Spaniards first Monte Carlo title win was against Guillermo Coria in 2005, but it has now been three years since he last won the tournament and has battled injury, form and confidence problems since his last triumph. Rafael Nadal will hope for a successful return to his favoured surface During his spectacular run, he won 46 successive matches including three finals against Roger Federer and two against Djokovic, but he lost his last final with the Serb here in 2013 and the formidable world No 1 is the defending champion as well as the winner of the first major and first two Masters events of the year.Who has defeated the King of the Clay?Nadal lost to Djokovic in both 2013 and 2015 while he suffered defeat to David Ferrer in 2014. Djokovic and Nadal cannot meet until the final after Saturdays draw His last final came in 2013 when Djokovic fought against the pain of an ankle injury to record victory.In 2015, Djokovic went on to have one of his best years, defeating Nadal in Monte Carlo again, this time in a comfortable 6-3 6-3 semi-final success. Djokovic in stunning form against Nadal hitting four straight winners Federer seeks to fill gap?Despite reaching the Monte Carlo final four times, Federer yet to emerge victorious - losing to Nadal three times before a 2014 final defeat to fellow Swiss Stan Warwinka. Roger Federer returns from injury in Monte Carlo Federer had beaten Djokovic in the semi-finals before his defeat and the Swiss ace will be making his first return since the Australian Open having being forced to withdraw from Miami with a stomach virus on his scheduled return from knee surgery.Murrays Miami DefeatAndy Murray will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing return from the North America Masters swing where he was an early casualty at both Indian Wells and Miami. Andy Murray will hope to put his disappointment in Miami behind him Murray has never won in Monte Carlo and could face clay-court specialist Guido Pella in a difficult second round encounter,Stan Wawrinka, Tomas Berdych, David Ferrer and Milos Raonic all make up the field for the first clay-court Masters event of 2016.Watch the Monte Carlo Masters live on Sky Sports between April 10-17. Coverage begins on Monday at 9.30am on Sky Sports 1 HD.By purchasing a Sky Sports Day Pass for £6.99 or Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99, you can enjoy access to all seven Sky Sports channels and watch on a TV with a NOW TV Box or on a range of devices. Also See: Federers Monte Carlo return Tennis on Sky Master of his trade Djokovic wins in Miami Tennis Canada announced Tuesday that Billie Jean King, Pete Sampras and Tennis Canada chief operating officer Derek Strang will be inducted into the Rogers Cup Hall of Fame during the 2013 Rogers Cup presented by National Bank in Toronto in recognition of their contribution to Canadas premier tennis tournament. King will be inducted in a Centre Court ceremony while Sampras will be inducted in a similar ceremony prior to playing his Rogers Legends Cup match against John McEnroe, a 2007 inductee. Strangs induction will take place in a private ceremony amongst friends and family. "Rogers Cup is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world and Im honoured to be recognized with this induction into the Rogers Cup Hall of Fame," said King. "I am very much looking forward to coming to Toronto for this and to participate in an evening that will celebrate successful athletes, executives, and the 40th anniversary of the WTA." Kings influence and role in growing the WTA is felt in the success and growth of all tennis events, including Rogers Cup. A founding member and first president of the WTA, King pushed for the rights of professional tennis players and for gender equality both on and off the court. Also one of the greatest competitors to ever play the game, she clinched 39 Grand Slam titles throughout her storied career, including 12 singles, 16 doubles, and 11 mixed doubles. She is also remembered for her victory over Bobby Riggs in the famous Battle of the Sexes match in 1973. As the WTA is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the timing is ideal to honour a pioneer like King.dddddddddddd. A fan favourite, Sampras reached the final in Canada in 1995, semifinals in 1990, and two other quarter-finals. Second all-time in number of Slams won (14) and weeks spent as the worlds No. 1-ranked player (286), Sampras name will be in the history books for many years to come. Known as one of the sports best-ever servers, Sampras won two Australian Opens, seven Wimbledon titles (including four consecutive), and five US Opens. He also ended a record six consecutive seasons as world No. 1 (1993-1998). Sampras exited the ranks of professional tennis at the top of his game, winning his very last match in the 2002 US Open final against Andre Agassi to capture Slam No. 14. The success of Rogers Cup over the years has been in large part thanks to the efforts of Strang. Retiring this year as Tennis Canadas Chief Operating Officer after three decades with the organization, Strangs footprint is all over the event. He was one of the most significant figures in the opening of Rexall Centre, Torontos world-class stadium that opened in 2004, as he led its development, design, and construction. He also played a considerable role in the re-build of Uniprix Stadium in Montreal. In addition, recognizing the need for more indoor facilities across the country in order to grow tennis nationally, he also championed the National Facility Advocacy Committee, which has helped to bring numerous projects to fruition. The previously announced Montreal Rogers Cup Hall of Fame inductees are former Canadian players Stephane Bonneau, Simon Larose, Sebastien LeBlanc and Frederic Niemeyer. ' ' '
