Paris, April 19 (IANS) Struggling World no.1 Roger Federer, who stormed into the semifinals of the Estoril Open clay court tournament Friday, will be eyeing the coveted Monte Carlo Masters Series next week. The Swiss champion is yet to win a tournament this year after bowing out of the Australian Open in January and then making early exits in Masters Series events at Indian Wells and Miami.

Federer has said that he would play an extra tournament on the slow clay courts in preparation for the French Open.

The 12-times grand slam winner also hired the 55-year-old Jose Higueras to help him improve his claycourt game since splitting with Tony Roche last May,

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