World No.3 Roger Federer is poised to play Milos Raonic of Canada in the second round of the Mutua Madrid Masters.

Federer started of the year at Doha where he pulled out of his semifinal clash against Tsonga due to injury. It was only the second time in his entire career that the Swiss had pulled out in the middle of an event. In the Australian Open, Federer was in scintillating form, but was undone in the semi-finals by a rampaging Nadal. Roger has continued to play well since and won his first ATP 1000 Masters tournament in after half a year at Indian Wells, he also claimed another ATP title at Rotterdam before that. Fed ex does have a point to prove this tournament as experts have already written him off, and are building the on-going event as a battle between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. The sixteen time Grand Slam winner said he was apprehensive of the blue clay being used at the Madrid Masters this year. A new surface however, brings in an element of surprise and hence presents a brilliant opportunity for him to answer his critics by doing what he does best. Federer has a 22-3 win-loss record this year which depicts his good form from the start of the season.

Raonic, presently ranked at 23 in the World has had a fruitful 2012 so far, with two titles at the Chennai Open and the SAP Open already in his pocket and a win-loss of 21-5. He reached the semi-finals of the Barcelona Open where he defeated players like Nicolas Almagro and Andy Murray, proving he is not a one dimensional player. He has continued to play confidently and showed authority in beating veteran David Nalbandian in two sets in the previous round.

Raonic and Federer have only met one time before with the Swiss Maestro coming out on top.

TennisEarth's pick: Federer to prevail in two sets.