PARIS, April 19: Faltering Roger Federer will be out to claim his first big title of the year at the prestigious Monte Carlo Masters Series, which starts on Sunday.

The world number one, who failed to retain his Australian Open crown in January, has come away empty-handed from Masters Series events in Indian Wells and Miami.

Federer started his preparation for a first French Open title this week at the Estoril Open, where he qualified for the semi-finals on Friday.

“(Claycourt tennis) is a different sport almost,” Federer stated at last month’s Miami Masters Series.

Federer said he would play an extra tournament on the slow surface in order to get ready for the French Open.

The 12-time Grand Slam winner, who has not had a coach since splitting with Tony Roche last May, hired the 55-year-old Jose Higueras to improve his claycourt game.

Federer, hit by glandular fever earlier in the year, said this week he felt on the verge of finding form again.

The Swiss has reached the last two finals in Monaco, losing to three-times champion Rafael Nadal, who will look to extend his record winning streak on the slow surface to 82.

The Spaniard is also chasing a maiden title this year after losing to Russian Nikolay Davydenko in the Miami Masters Series final earlier this month.

If he wins, Nadal will become the first player to claim the trophy four times in a row, one year after equalling Ilie Nastase’s record of three consecutives victories (1971 to 73).

However, Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia, who leads the ATP Race, will also be on the field with the opportunity to close the gap with Federer and Nadal.

Russian Marat Safin and Brazil’s Gustavo Kuerten will add to the glamour of the tournament after being granted wild cards.

Three-time French Open champion Kuerten, who won in Monte Carlo in 1999 and 2001, has said he will retire later this year.—Reuters