Andy Murray is prepared to defend his Madrid Open title, but there are big questions to be answered on Spains clay courts. Paul George Shoes Free Shipping . Sky Live: Madrid Open Live on Sky Sports until May 8 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? Andy Murray (right) beat Rafa Nadal in last years Madrid final 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. Its because of the altitude. I remember a Davis Cup semi-final played in Madrid against the United States, Nadal was very vocal that he didnt want it played there. The game becomes quicker, the ball moves quicker, and you have less time. The big servers come into play. Murrays route to the final Possible future foes for British No 1 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? Rafael Nadal beat Kei Nishikori to claim the Barcelona Open title 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 hes 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 didnt 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.Its relentless now, the top guys will basically play all the way through from Madrid until the US Open with very little time off. Are Federers recurring injuries a concern? Roger Federer cant turn his back on recent injuries Barry said: The worry is that, once you reach his age, are your little niggles just covering for other injuries? Thats three already hes had this year, two injuries and an illness.As well as taking a toll on his body, it also means hes lacking in matches so he slips further and further behind the other guys who are playing more tennis. Federer withdraws Swiss great out of Madrid Open If you look at the glass half-full, its 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? Its seven years since Juan Martin Del Potro won the US Open Barry said: From what I saw at Indian Wells and Miami, hes a long way off. For Del Potro, its about playing and getting back onto the court. That wrist injury means he still hits far too many sliced backhands.Hes 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 cant hit over his backhand. Hes basically going into battle with two out of three weapons.He wont beat a top 10 player with only two weapons working. But hes hitting his backhand more, which is encouraging, and he clearly has rediscovered his passion to compete. Also See: ATP schedule Tennis on Sky Latest scores Get a NOW TV pass Video Paul George Shoes Deals . A player confirmed to TSN on the condition of anonymity that he received his ballot yesterday. Another confirms hes been told to expect his shortly. "The unions executive committee insists a strike vote does not mean were pushing away from the table," the player said. "But we want the league to know were serious about our position. Cheap Paul George Shoes . - Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery was so busy in free agency he didnt mind having a few extra weeks to prepare for the draft. https://www.cheappaulgeorgeshoes.com/ .com) - Australian Open champion Li Na, former Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova and former world No.Bryson DeChambeau continued his rapid rise into the golfing spotlight with an impressive professional debut at the RBC Heritage. The 22-year-old, who calls himself the Golf Scientist for having every iron in his bag the same length, had already made several notable performances worldwide before his strong week and tied-fourth finish at Harbour Town. DeChambeau had held the early lead at Januarys Abu Dhabi Golf Championship and posted top-30 finishes in Dubai and at Bay Hill during the early part of 2016, before turning professional after ending the Masters as the best-performing amateur. DeChambeau finished in a tie for 21st at the Masters earlier this year He saved his best though for the week after Augusta, with a three-under 68 during the final round leaving him just four back from winner Branden Grace.But just how does his first professional start compare to those previously earmarked as future stars? We looked at how others fared when they made the switch from the amateur game...Jordan Spieth - MCAlthough he had already made a handful of PGA Tour events and made his major debut, Spieths first start as a professional ended with an early exit at the 2013 Farmers Insurance Open. Spieth secured his first PGA Tour title later that year at the John Deere Classic Spieth made the cut as a 16-year-old at the Byron Nelson Championship and finished as the lowest amateur at the 2012 US Open, but was unable to produce a similar result after turning professional at the end of that year.Rounds of 72 and 73 saw him miss the cut at Torrey Pines by two strokes, as Tiger Woods went on to claim the first of five titles that year.Rory McIlroy - T42After making the cut at the Open Championship and featuring for Great Britain & Ireland in the Walker Cup, McIlroy turned professional just before appearing at the 2007 British Masters. McIlroys first win wouldnt come until the 2009 Dubai Desert Classic The Northern Irishman got off to a strong start at the Belfry with an opening-round 69, but only made the cut on the line after a bogey-filled 78 on Friday.A steady weekend saw McIlroy follow a two-under 70 with a final-round 73 to leave him 17 shots adrift of eventual champion Lee Westwood.McIlroy would go on to finish third at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship later that month and end inside the top-five at the Opeen de Espana a week later, securing his full European Tour card for the following year. Paul George Shoes Outlet. Tiger Woods - T60 Woods ended 1996 as world No 33 Woods was already a multiple US Amateur champion and had several major appearances to his name when he switched to the pro ranks in August 1996.Several weeks after winning the Silver Medal as leading amateur at the Open, Woods made the cut and a mere $2,544 for his tied-60th finish at the now defunct Greater Milwaukee Open.It wouldnt be long before Woods would reach the winners circle, winning the Las Vegas Invitational and the Walt Disney Classic on his way to securing a place at the season-ending Tour Championship. Jason Day - T67 Day would have to spend 2007 playing on the Web.com Tour Having already won numerous amateur honours in Australia, Day made the switch to America and professional golf with a tournament invitation to the 2006 John Deere Classic.Day followed a first-round 71 with a 69 on the Friday to sneak in to the weekend at TPC Deere Run, eventually collecting $8,200 in prize money for finishing 16 strokes behind champion John Senden.Although that result was the first of five cuts made from hs first six starts on the PGA Tour, he failed to secure a full playing card for the following season and spent the following year playing on the Web.com Tour. Rickie Fowler - MC Rickie Fowler helped Team USA to two Walker Cup victories Fowlers professional career began in 2009 via a sponsors invite to the Web.com Tours Nationwide Tour Albertsons Boise Open, where the then 20-year-old made an early exit.The American had already made two Walker Cup appearances and spent time as world No 1 amateur before making the switch, where he added two top-seven finishes on the PGA Tour.A play-off defeat at Frys.com Open helped him secure enough money to reclaim playing rights for the following year, before Fowler secured a full playing card by graduating from the PGA Tour Q-School. Bryson DeChambeau is back in action at the Valero Texas Open from April 21-24. Watch live throughout the week on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf Also See: DeChambeau looking to improve Grace claims Heritage glory PGA Tour latest news Golf on Sky Sports 4 ' ' '