Rafael Nadal v Novak Djokovic: all signs point to a titanic clash in final of Mutua Madrid Open

That is the most likely scenario, given that Djokovic has won all 27 matches that he has played this year — including five tournaments — while Nadal’s last defeat on clay came fully 34 games and two years ago against Robin Soderling in Paris.

Unless someone pulls off a stunning feat of giant-killing, it will be the indomitable Serb against the invincible Spaniard on Sunday. Djokovic has the form, having beaten his former nemesis in five of their last six meetings, but Nadal will enjoy both the fervent support of his home crowd and the shift from hard courts to clay, the surface he has made his personal fiefdom.

Can anyone derail either of these two trains before they meet head-on? Well, Andy Murray has a shot at a semi-final against Djokovic — a potential rematch of the Australian Open final – if he can come through a quarter of the draw that includes Gael Monfils and Tomas Berdych.

But this would be a lot to ask. While the Big Two have been polishing their latest trophies, Murray has only just emerged from the worst losing streak of his career — the one that started with that morale-shredding loss to Djokovic at Melbourne Park, and continued through inept performances in Rotterdam, Indian Wells and Miami.

He has been in Spain for over a week, first recovering from the sore elbow that kept him out of the Barcelona Open, and then working with Darren Cahill, the team adidas coach who will help him as a consultant until a more permanent coaching appointment can be found. There was also a 16-game practice match against Nadal himself, which ended up in an 8-8 draw.

Granted a first-round bye, Murray will enter the singles on Wednesday against either the Frenchman Gilles Simon or Croatia’s Ivan Ljubicic — a demanding opener for a man with little live tournament action behind him, but one he should survive if he recovers the form he showed in Monte Carlo last month.

On Tuesday, Murray is expected to play doubles with brother Jamie, but the main attraction at the Park Manzanares will be Mikhail Youzhny’s tussle with the unseeded Juan Martin del Potro, a dangerous “floater” in the men’s draw who dominated all-comers in the Estoril Open last week.

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Carlo Ancelotti lined up to step in for Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid

Carlo Ancelotti is on a shortlist of candidates to take over at Real Madrid when Jose Mourinho's controversial reign comes to an end.

Bernabeu chiefs have become increasingly concerned at Mourinho's admission that he has 'unfinished business' in England, and his strained relationship with the Spanish media.

The pressure increased on Mourinho on Monday when former Real Madrid legend Alfredo di Stefano criticised the Portuguese's tactics in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Barcelona, saying Madrid played like a mouse against a lion of a Catalan team.

Di Stefano, 84, Madrid's honorary president, said Mourinho's team showed no personality. He praised Barcelona's superiority, saying they 'treat the ball with adoration and respect'.

Sportsmail understands Real have made Chelsea boss Ancelotti one of the leading contenders to fill the possible vacancy and have even put feelers out to gauge his readiness to take on one of the biggest challenges in the game.

Ancelotti seems certain to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, after being left in little doubt he will have to pay with his job for falling behind in the Barclays Premier League title race and missing out on the Champions League title.

But while he is no longer wanted by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, he suddenly finds himself in demand on the continent as Roma also interested in his services.

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Didier Drogba lined up by Real Madrid in £15m bid to keep Jose Mourinho

Real Madrid are preparing to offer ?15million for Chelsea striker Didier Drogba in a bid to keep Jose Mourinho as manager.

The Spanish club have been wracked in turmoil behind the scenes this season with Mourinho jostling for more power from president Florentino Perez and general director Jorge Valdano.

The 'Special One' has made it clear he is willing to walk away at the end of the season unless he gets his way and Perez is ready to hand him the control he craves.

Drogba has been long coveted by Mourinho and Perez sees the potential signing as a sop to the coach he believes can topple fierce rivals Barcelona from the summit of world football.

Despite his advancing years, Drogba will give Real the cutting edge and power they have sorely missed this season.

They have leaned heavily on Cristiano Ronaldo's goals return following Gonzalo Higuain's back injury and Karim Benzema is only just starting to show the potential they invested in. Although Emmanuel Adebayor has been a moderate success, he is more likely to return to Manchester City in the summer.

A ?15m fee for the 33-year-old Drogba would suit all parties. The Chelsea idol's status as number one striker is under threat from Fernando Torres's arrival and he knows owner Roman Abramovich is determined to lower the age of the club's squad as he looks to prolong the club's success.

Although Drogba has still had greater impact on recent games than the ?50m signing from Liverpool, he knows next season may be a different story with other new strikers also being identified. Rather than take a step down or join one of Chelsea's English rivals a move to Madrid under his old mentor would be a fitting end to a sparkling career.

Mourinho wanted to take Drogba with him to Inter Milan when he left Chelsea and fully believes the player can help him achieve his goal at Real Madrid of wrestling La Liga from Barcelona. Although there is interest in bringing Mourinho back to the Barclays Premier League in the summer, Real know that his personality is driving him to succeed in Spain first before he returns to England.

They have sounded out potential replacements should he go but the signing of Drogba is seen as key to convincing him to stay.

Valdano said: 'He's a coach who wants that autonomy, he needs to have control. It's then that he is comfortable. Now he has declared that he is very protected by the club and feels very well and could even renew his contract. So the goal has been achieved.'

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