Players Under the Microscope / Editor / 11 April 2007 /

Roger Federer has targeted an end to his barren run at the French Open as he guns for Grand Slam glory this season.

Having claimed the Australian Open at the start of the year to make it three Slam successes on the bounce, the world number one has confirmed he will be attending the Monte Carlo Masters in preparation for the French Open - the only Grand Slam event to have so far eluded him - which begins at the end of May.

The Swiss ace has in the past sat out the Monte Carlo event, the first big tournament of the clay court season, but insists he will use it, regardless of the result, to help him end his Roland Garros hoodoo.

"There were a few seasons when I skipped Monaco to give myself more of a break but I have stopped doing that because the tournament gives you a good idea of how you are playing and what stuff you still have to work on at the practice courts," he said.

"It's similar to the French Open in the way it plays and even if you lose in the first round it helps give an indication of how the other guys are playing and reminds you how clay is supposed to be played.

"Last year I couldn't win a single claycourt tournament, so I want to do that this year, and the French Open is obviously huge for me as the one Slam I haven't yet won.

"Hopefully the time off after Miami should be an important part of making sure I'm absolutely ready for the next tough 12 weeks."

Federer made it to the final at Monte Carlo last season, only to lose in four sets to Spain's Rafael Nadal. Both are likely to be prominent in the market for the Masters Series event beginning on April 16, when it opens up nearer the time, although the Spanish ace is likely to lead the way with his impressive record on the slow surface.

It is likely to be a similar story at the French Open next month as well. Federer looked set to win his first French title last year, after racing through the first set against Nadal. But the Spanish ace showed his expertise on clay again to win the next three sets and claim his second successive Roland Garros victory.

Having won the last four titles at Wimbledon and the last three at the US Open, the French Open is sure to prove the biggest stumbling block to Federer's chances of a Grand Slam. Punters appear to believe the task will prove beyond him again as 'No' is a strong 1.27 favourite in the 'Federer Grand Slam' specials market, with 'Yes' available at 4.6.

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