Andy Murray is prepared to defend his Madrid Open title, but there are big questions to be answered on Spains clay courts. 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 Cory Joseph Jersey . Cruz set the tone with a two-run homer in the first inning, and Baltimore scored eight times in the eighth to pull away for a 12-3 victory in Game 1. The major league leader with 40 homers during the regular season, Cruz added an RBI single to his early blast off Max Scherzer. Reggie Miller Jersey . -- Aaron Rodgers isnt out for revenge in Green Bays season opener. http://www.authenticbasketballshoppacers...ers-jersey/.500. The Jets have now won nine of their last 11, and five of their last six road games. With the win they moved to within two points of Vancouver in the west, the Canucks holding down the eighth spot. Vancouver lost in Boston, while the other big game saw Dallas win in Phoenix. Myles Turner Jersey .C. - NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick headlines this years electees into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. Bojan Bogdanovic Jersey . The flanker began his comeback from a right shoulder injury by coming off the bench on Saturday when Wales opened with a victory over Italy. Warburton replaces Justin Tipuric, one of three changes announced on Tuesday by coach Warren Gatland.CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Panthers Cam Newton will probably start Sunday against the Cleveland Browns barring any physical setbacks this week, Carolina coach Ron Rivera said after the quarterback practiced on Thursday.The team increased Newtons workload and Rivera said the fourth-year QB seemed to handle it well. However, the coach was hesitant on naming Newton the starter in case he begins to experience soreness in his back.I would say he is on target to start, Rivera said. He had a good day and took the reps he was supposed to.Newton was a full participant in practice Thursday, nine days after he was involved in a two-vehicle crash that left him hospitalized for one night with two fractures in his lower back.He declared himself pain-free after the workout.If I can play, we all know I want to play, Newton said. But at the end of the day I wont jeopardize what we have the opportunity to do just because of my selfishness to say, Oooh, Im a tough man.Unlike in past weeks when Newton was bothered by injuries and came right out and said definitely he wanted to play, the two-time Pro Bowler was more reserved about his playing status.He repeatedly said he didnt want to be a distraction.Derek Anderson started last week against Tampa Bay and led the Panthers to a 19-17 win. Anderson is 2-0 as the starter, but both wins have come against the 2-11 Buccaneers.Im fine either way it goes, Newton said of Riveras impending decision on the starting quarterback. I dont want this to be a distraction. We have our hands full getting prepared for a great team in Cleveland. We arrent worried about who will start at quarterback.ddddddddddddI think were both ready.Rivera said Newton probably answered the question in that manner because he probably didnt want to put any pressure on me — and I appreciate that.Newton is having a down year by his own standards, throwing for a career-low 2,812 yards with 16 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions while recovering from off-season ankle surgery and fractured ribs during the preseason.Rivera reiterated he wouldnt risk exposing Newton to injury if hes not ready to play.But he said all signs point to the 25-year-old making a quicker than expected comeback.Newton completed a 65-yard pass during practice on Thursday that Rivera called a thing of beauty. Rivera said Newton also made a leaping one-handed grab on Wednesday when tight end Greg Olsen threw a ball back to the quarterback following a play.Rivera said Newton reported to work Thursday feeling good after trainers put him through a tough day of work on Wednesday.Hes looked pretty good and now well see how he is on Friday, Rivera said. We increased his reps and did some different things with him today. They put him through a pretty rigorous workout.Rivera said he like to officially name a starter as soon as possible.The Panthers (5-8-1) are a half-game behind the New Orleans Saints in the NFC South with two games remaining in the season. They can win the division with two wins and a Saints loss.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL Cheap Jerseys Store Jerseys NFL Cheap Cheap NFL Black Jerseys China Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Wholesale Wholesale Jerseys Camo China NFL Jerseys ' ' '