WTA Madrid starts today!

The Mutua Madrid Open features a star-studded field as the world's best aim to claim one of the biggest titles on the European clay-court circuit. It's the second WTA Premier event of the clay-court season. The first was in Stuttgart last month where Julia Goerges delighted her home fans by stunning Caroline Wozniacki and Sam Stosur on the way to the biggest title of her career.

All three are back in action in Madrid. World number one Wozniacki has won more titles than anyone else on tour this year and she will be a strong contender along with fifth seed Stosur who's always at her best on clay.

Look out for Vika Azarenka who performed brilliantly in April, winning the Miami Masters and a title in Marbella. Azarenka is one of the best movers on tour and is long due a big title on the dirt.

Francesca Schiavone opted not to take part in Italy's Fed Cup semi-final with Russia in order to concentrate on her preparations for her French Open title defence later this month. After several weeks of hard training it will be fascinating to see what shape she's in.

Aravane Rezai came from nowhere last year to stun a string of top stars on the way to the title. However Rezai is in nothing like that kind of form this time round and will do well to get through the first few rounds.

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