Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Gael Monfils in Monte Carlo action on Friday

Rafael Nadal continues to pass every test thrown at him in Monte Carlo but on Friday he will meet an opponent similarly adept on clay courts.

David Ferrer, his fellow Spaniard, stands in Nadal’s way as the world No 5 competes in his third match in as many days at the Monaco competition, live from 9.30am on Sky Sports 3.

It is a punishing schedule considering Nadal’s fitness issues but, since the onset of the clay court season, the Spanish player has stroked the ball around showing glimpses of his brilliance of old.

Thursday’s victory against American powerhouse John Isner, despite dropping the second set, illustrated that Nadal is ready to battle for a ninth Monte Carlo title.

World No 1 Novak Djokovic, for whom the clay season is the one facet of recent tennis history that he hasn’t dominated, meets Marin Cilic in Friday’s third centre court match-up before Nadal concludes the day.

Djokovic is aiming for his first French Open title at Roland Garros so his progress in Monte Carlo will be telling as to whether the Serb can etch his name into the sport’s history books.

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Gael Monfils, who defeated Roger Federer on Thursday, returns to the court to take on rising contender Grigor Dimitrov. 

How much did Monfils empty the tank against the great Federer? We will find out as the thrillingly eccentric Monfils tries to repeat his heroics.

Tomas Berdych and Milos Raonic will provide a closely-fought, highly-competitive start to Friday morning in what could ultimately be Friday’s most exciting contest – but the colourful Monfils, the current best player in the world and the King of Clay will provide a whole day of excitement in the sun.

Watch live tennis from Monte Carlo on Friday from 9.30am on Sky Sports 3.