Roger Federer will be out to claim his first big title of the year at the prestigious Monte Carlo Masters, starting on Sunday.

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

Federer started his preparations for the French Open by reaching the final of this week's Estoril Open claycourt event.

"[Claycourt tennis] is a different sport almost," the Swiss said at last month's Miami Masters.

Federer said he would play an extra tournament on the slow surface in order to get ready for next month's French Open, a title he has yet to lift.

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

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

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

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

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 (1971-73).

Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia, who leads the ATP Race, will also compete in Monte Carlo.

Russian Marat Safin and Brazil's Gustavo Kuerten add to the glamour of the tournament after being granted wildcards.

Triple French Open champion Kuerten, who won in Monte Carlo in 1999 and 2001, has said he will retire later this year.

He faces a daunting task with a first-round match against big-serving Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia while former world number one Safin takes on Belgian Xavier Malisse.