Rafael Nadal is continuing his preparation for the French Open by playing in the ATP tournament in Madrid.

Canadian sports betting fans who like to put money on tennis tournaments will be casting their eyes to Europe as preparation for the upcoming French Open hots up.

Rafael Nadal is the clear favorite with the bookmakers to win the ATP Madrid Open.

Roger Federer, who has this week denied he has even considered retirement, is the second favorite, although he has had to play second fiddle to Nadal on clay since the Spaniard's emergence.

However, the seeding for the tournament favors Federer, with the Swiss player the top seed ahead of Rafael Nadal, with Britain's Andy Murray and Robin Soderling of Sweden completing the top four.

Clay court specialists such as David Ferrer and Fernando Verdasco are favored by the bookmakers ahead of Murray and Soderling, who may be good outside bets for Canadian sports betting enthusiasts.

Ernests Gulbis could be a good each-way bet for the Madrid Open, as the enigmatic Latvian has looked in good shape in his matches at the event so far.

He faces Feliciano Lopez in the next round for a place in the quarter-finals against either Federer or Stanislas Wawrinka.

Next month, Federer and Nadal will renew their rivalry at the French Open, after the Swiss world number one won at Roland Garros for the first ever time last year following Nadal's quarter-final exit to Soderling in straight sets.