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Post by RogiFan on Dec 23, 2003 19:55:07 GMT -5
From his official site, here is Rogi's schedule of tournaments for 2004: Jan 5 Hong Kong Jan 12 Kooyong Jan 19 Australian Open, Melbourne Feb 2 Davis Cup Feb 16 ABN AMRO, Rotterdam Feb 23 Open 13, Marseille Mar 01 The Dubai Tennis Championships Mar 8 Pacific Life Open, Indian Wells Mar 22 NASDAQ-100 Open, Miami Apr 5 Davis Cup Apr 19 Tennis Masters Monte-Carlo Apr 26 BMW Open, Munich Mai 03 Telecom Italia Masters, Rome Mai 10 Hamburg Mai 24 Rolland Garros, Paris Jun 07 Halle Jun 21 Wimbledon Jul 05 Allianz Suisse Open Gstaad Jul 26 Tennis Masters Canada, Toronto Aug 02 Tennis Masters, Cincinatti Aug 16 Olympic Games, Athens Aug 30 US Open, New York Oct 18 Tennis Masters, Madrid Oct 25 Davidoff Swiss Indoors, Basel Nov 01 BNP Paribas Masters, Paris Nov 15 Masters Cup, Houston Published on: 2003-11-17 www.rogerfederer.com/
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 4, 2004 13:25:59 GMT -5
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 10, 2004 20:38:17 GMT -5
Well, Rogi didn't win the HK exo but he and Martina won the dbles vs. Venus/Max. At least he got in a few matches to warm up for the Aussie Open... fr.sports.yahoo.com/So Rogi, keep your eye on the ball!! Good luck in Kooyong next week!
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 14, 2004 9:00:24 GMT -5
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 14, 2004 9:07:05 GMT -5
A Rogi interview: MEDIA RELEASE Wednesday, January 14, 2004 RODGER FEDERER [14/1/04] Transcript of press conference COMMONWEALTH BANK INTERNATIONAL Kooyong January 14-17, 2004 RODGER FEDERER [14/1/04] Q: How did that feel first up? A: All right. I've played a couple of matches this year so it wasn't the first. I'm not concerned or anything but it wasn't great so I'm happy I've got a few more matches coming up and hopefully I can play better. Q: Can you tell us what you did since the Masters? A: Went for holidays and came back and spent a month in Switzerland practicing and getting a lot of awards and busy. Q: Given the year you had, when is the point that you stop reflecting back on what you've achieved and kind of soak up some of that and actually turn your mind to this year and what's ahead? A: For me as soon as you start preparing for the following year, I have to start forgetting what I achieved. Obviously it was awards and people still congratulating me for what I did, that reminds me and I think it's important to remember what you have achieved but for the motivation factor you've got to forget that and set yourself new goals otherwise tennis can be difficult. Q: Did you have any experience of that late last year, when you say not being able to put it out of your mind and the difficulty that comes with having achieved that previously? A: You mean at the end of the year? Q: Yes. You said tennis can be difficult. A: When you have no goals, that's what I mean. When you're just playing and you don't really know why, you have got to tell yourself: I want to achieve this, I want to in my position win events, I want to climb up the rankings, I want to get better in certain areas of the game, so that keeps me going because I've experienced a lot of ups and downs in my career also; not only ups, so it's really from the downs where you learn a lot. Q: Do you think there's a chance you might even become a little more severe on yourself because of your situation of being on your own at the moment, might you be a little harder on yourself? A: Every year I set myself new goals off court also which concern practice sessions, be more professional off the court, and I always try to improve and try to be even more organised so with or without a coach that doesn't make a difference because I am trying to improve on certain things and that's not something to do with the coach. Q: What kind of goal did you set for yourself off the court this year? A: That's private. Q: On the court? A: On the court, yes, you can know that. First of all, it's a very interesting year with the Olympic year, I love the Olympics. The first time I went there in Sydney and I just missed out on the medal so I'm really looking forward to going back there and I'm playing well. Davis Cup is obviously for me also important - both concern my home town country. I guess I'm saying those two first because I got so many awards, I became Swiss Person of the Year and I have some responsibilities so I'm really proud. After that, I've got all the other events which really Grand Slams are the biggest ones so I really hope I can improve my results there to be even more consistent and hopefully I can get off to a really good start and can attack Number 1 ranking already here in Australia. Q: Practically, how did you practice in Switzerland without a coach? Were you worried about that part? A: Max .... came and joined me in Switzerland he stayed with me for a week and there were all the other Swiss players practicing there so actually this preparation has been very good to me because they were really a lot of players because this tends to be a problem sometimes in Switzerland. Q: Did you end up playing with Martina in Hong Kong? A: Navratilova? Q: Yes. A: Yes. Q: How did that go, how was that experience? A: That was nice. It was a really nice experience. When I heard I'm going to play doubles with her it was really special to me, just to share the court with her, and also spend some time off the court with her, even though it's not much, just to be able to talk to her a little bit it's nice because I really didn't know her before except from TV. Q: How does it feel coming back to Melbourne Park after what happened in the Davis Cup? Is the memory still vivid? A: I don't really think too much, actually, about what happened or bad memories; I really only have good memories because it was my first time in a semis. I thought there was an unbelievable atmosphere on the Centre Court, Lleyton fought hard, I still felt like I had a great weekend of tennis and I'm really looking forward to the Australian Open and show again what I can do because I really enjoyed that weekend here in Melbourne. Q: What part of your game will you work on for the rest of your week here at Kooyong? A: I've worked already quite a bit on some things before it started today because I had more time. Now that the tournament has started in Kooyong, it's just a little bit less you can do really because you don't want to overdo it and be tired for the Australian Open because that's the wrong approach but if there is something I didn't like today, I will go out this afternoon and work on it. Q: You say you got very busy in Switzerland. Do you feel you have had enough rest for this season? A: I came back from holidays and right away I had to do a lot of things so started practicing again, go and do some stuff. Christmas was coming, I had another five day break which was very important for me and then I started to relax much more so luckily I only left on the 6th so really it was really busy in the beginning of December but then I realised that I had to slow down and after that it was good so I feel rested. Please direct all media enquiries to Marie Kelley (Media & Corporate Sales Consultant) on 61 3 9822.4430 or 61 (0) 417 168019 – email njsmk@bigpond.com. Commonwealth Bank interviews should be directed to Bryan Fitzgerald: 0414 789649. www.commbankinternational.com/[they COULD learn how to spell his first name! ]
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 16, 2004 10:10:07 GMT -5
Well, Rogi, not too happy about your loss to :ass: so easily too! Rogi plays Pandy next?? Good luck, babe! Better kick it up several notches for the AO w that draw of yours... not liking it much either... www.theage.com.au
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 19, 2004 22:01:03 GMT -5
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 19, 2004 22:42:16 GMT -5
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 21, 2004 12:31:21 GMT -5
some articles I can't remember if I posted already! Federer Goes It Alone by Jordan Chong Tuesday, January 13, 2004 Switzerland's Roger Federer admits it will be an added challenge not having a coach among his entourage for the 2004 Australian Open. Despite his stellar 2003 season, Federer acknowledges that he still has a lot to learn about the game and says he will be searching for a suitable person to fill that role. "I'm definitely looking around. I'm just 22 years old so I still think I can get some tips and advice for my game," Federer said. "I'm far away from being perfect. I'm looking around [for a coach] but I don't want to rush into something." The world's No.2-ranked player displayed his tremendous all-court game throughout 2003, winning seven tournaments on three different surfaces, including his first Grand Slam title on the Wimbledon grass. Last January he matched his best performance at Melbourne Park with a fourth-round appearance, the same result as he achieved in 2002. He parted company with former coach Peter Lundgren late last year, just three weeks after he won the season-ending Masters Cup. "I'm by myself here, with friend and girlfriend and physio. I'm taking care of myself the next few weeks." "It's difficult, it's a change and you've got to get used to it, you've got to be well-organised, but I think I'm going to get through that." Despite playing an exhibition tournament in Hong Kong on the way to Melbourne, Federer thinks Australia's warm climate will take some getting used to, having come from the cold European winter. "That's the problem we have as Europeans, you come from playing indoors the whole winter and then you come here." "It actually takes a lot of practice and a lot of getting used to the humidity and the hot weather." "If we want, we can go to some warm place to practice in December, but I'd rather stay home." He also reaffirmed his commitment to represent Switzerland at the Olympic Games in Athens later this year. Meanwhile, defending Australian Open men's champion Andre Agassi believes coming to Melbourne represents his best chance to add to his imposing record of eight Grand Slam titles. "If you had to base it on winning percentage I'd have to say 'yes'," Agassi said. "It's been a Grand Slam that I've had the most success in. It's an environment I enjoy playing in." "I would say here and the US Open are what I consider to be my best shots, followed by Wimbledon and then Paris." www.australianopen.com/Favourite Federer takes care of business By Linda Pearce January 14, 2004 Australian Open men's favourite Roger Federer will enter the year's first grand slam tournament without a coach. Federer has not yet replaced Peter Lundgren, who was surprisingly sacked after Federer's victory in November's Masters Cup. The split came despite Federer finishing the season at No. 2 and winning his first major singles title at Wimbledon, among seven for the year. The unconventional self-coaching arrangement reduces his Melbourne Park entourage to an unnamed friend, physiotherapist Pavel Kovac and Federer's partner Mirka Vavrinec, a former women's tour player who handles Federer's off-court affairs. "I'm taking care of myself these next few weeks," said Federer, who today plays Swede Thomas Johansson on the opening day of the Kooyong International tournament. "It's difficult. It's a change, you've got to get used to it and got to be well organised, but I think I'm going to get through that. "I'm definitely looking around - I'm just 22 years old, so I still think I can get some tips and advice from my game. I'm far away from being perfect, so I'm looking around, but I don't want to rush into something and as soon as the time is right, I will let you guys know." Federer spent the brief off-season at home in Switzerland, relishing the extra week's break provided by the slightly delayed start to the tennis year, before travelling to Melbourne via a brief Hong Kong exhibition. Andre Agassi, meanwhile, is following the same trusty route that has left him unbeaten at the Australian Open since 1999. The 33-year-old is on a 21-match streak at Melbourne Park, having failed to lift the trophy only in 2002, when he withdrew on the eve of the tournament because of a wrist injury. Agassi rates the two hardcourt majors as his best chances of a ninth grand slam singles title. "(The Australian's) been the grand slam that I've had most success in, it's an environment I enjoy playing in," he said. This year, Agassi is travelling with his three-month-old daughter Jaz, as well as son Jaden and wife Stephanie Graf, and he said the family expansion was proving challenging. "Going from one to two is like going from one to 10," he quipped. "When you have one, you have two people focused on this, and when you have two it's like I can't sort of run and hide when things get tough. I'm not convinced I'm handling it." Younes El Aynaoui, who, with Andy Roddick, played the match-of-the-year at the 2003 Open, is experiencing more serious difficulties. The Moroccan veteran rates himself only 50-50 to contest this year's event. He has plantar fasciatis inflammation at the base of his foot, and has been forced to withdraw from the Kooyong warm-up. "I am in good hands here in Australia with intensive treatment and I still hope I will be able to participate in the Open next week," El Aynaoui said. "Every time I wake up in the morning, it's a surprise . . . But I'm still thinking positive that with the treatment I receive every day . . . I will be ready to go. El Aynaoui's replacement is Johansson, the former Australian Open winner who reached the quarter-finals of his comeback event in Adelaide last week. Johansson, who required knee surgery last February, had not played since the end of 2002. It was also announced that Pat Rafter and Josh Eagle would play a doubles exhibition match at Kooyong on Saturday. This story was found at: www.theage.com.au/
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 22, 2004 11:50:03 GMT -5
Woo hoo, Rogi, into the 3rd rd now!! Roger Federer Thursday, 22 January, 2004 Roger Federer Bio R. FEDERER/J. Morrison 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 An interview with: ROGER FEDERER Q. How was that today? ROGER FEDERER: Well, I'm happy. I don't know what you saw. The way I played, you know, was what I kind of expected. It was good. I'm feeling good here. The conditions suit me. The game also has been solid so far, so... Q. What have you been working on in the last few days with your game? You said in general you weren't happy with your game at Kooyong. Where has it improved in the last five days or so? ROGER FEDERER: I felt already during the practice sessions, during Kooyong, that this court was playing a little bit faster, which is better for my game. I feel like, you know, I'm more concentrating on my serve than maybe in Kooyong. And it's not as windy, so it makes it easier. So already, you know, serving better helps for the rest of the game. I feel also that I'm more aggressive on the return, which I wasn't in Kooyong. So that's two big improvements I've made. Q. You play Todd Reid in the next round. Have you played him before? ROGER FEDERER: I haven't, know. I know him a little because, you know, he's been around for just a little. But, yeah, I saw a lot of his match today. Q. It seemed to take a lot out of him today. You have to be happy when you're facing someone that has expended a lot of energy like that. ROGER FEDERER: It's an advantage. You know, but at the same time he's got nothing to lose. Doesn't really matter what happened two days ago. He's got one day of recovery tomorrow. Even though he finished quite early today, which is good for him, he'll come out fresh against me. I'm looking forward to a different game than he played today. They were rallying a lot. That's not going to happen against me too much. Q. Having now got a Grand Slam to your name, do you come to this tournament with a slightly different mental attitude; you know you can do it? ROGER FEDERER: I guess I expect more of myself. You know, I know I can win this tournament. But before, you know, I would have been happy maybe with the quarters or the semis. Now it's an okay result, but it's not satisfying. You know, I guess I'm more hungry for more. I know now what it takes, you know, to win a Slam --how to prepare, how to do it all the way because two weeks tend to get very long in a Grand Slam. As a tennis player, I guess it's things players aren't used to. Q. Is it right that you follow cricket, that you like cricket? ROGER FEDERER: A little bit, yeah. Q. Have you had a chance to look at any while you've been here? ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I have been watching. Q. What are you seeing? ROGER FEDERER: I just really watch it just because it's relaxing, you know. I understand the rules (smiling). That's already something for a European. The other guys, all my friends, they don't understand the sport, so I got to switch. But that's fine. Q. What is your interest? ROGER FEDERER: My former coach, Peter, he knew about it. Q. Tim Henman won earlier today. You played him recently in Paris. Do you see him as being a contender here? ROGER FEDERER: For the title? Q. Yes. ROGER FEDERER: Yeah. If he can win Paris, he can win this event. Haven't seen anything of his matches this week, but, yeah, I'm not surprised. He's playing well. He's dangerous for anybody. I mean, I'm not going to face him till the quarters, I think. That's okay. We'll see how he goes through and how I'll manage to get through the Aussie. FastScripts by ASAP Sports... www.australianopen.com/fr.sports.yahoo.com/tennis/
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Post by Doris on Jan 22, 2004 13:12:15 GMT -5
I like that last pic thanks RF
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 23, 2004 11:55:32 GMT -5
Go for a straight sets win over Reid in the third rd, Rogi!!
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 23, 2004 20:56:52 GMT -5
ROGI thrashed Todd Reid 63 60 61!! Nice and efficient!! Conserved his energy for the tougher matches to come!
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 24, 2004 16:52:11 GMT -5
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 24, 2004 19:54:10 GMT -5
Reid no disgrace after loss to ace By Bill Scott January 25, 2004 The grace of Roger Federer and the grind of a five-set struggle on Thursday combined yesterday to doom Todd Reid's attempt to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open. A surprise early break of the stylish Swiss world No.2, the reigning Wimbledon champion and tipped as the next man to dominate the sport after Pete Sampras, was merely a mirage for Sydney-born Reid, who had gone through hell 48 hours earlier as he hung on for a gut-wrenching marathon win over Sargis Sargsian. After brushing off the early niggle from the 19-year-old wildcard - and waiting while a few swooping sparrows chasing moths were cleared from the court - Federer kicked his impeccable tennis machine into gear, reeling off 14 consecutive games on the way to a comprehensive 6-3, 6-0, 6-1 victory. It took an effortless 74 minutes for the 22-year-old second seed to administer a tennis lesson to the Aussie hopeful, playing here for the third time as a wildcard. "I had to react after losing serve," said Federer, winner of 78 matches and seven titles last season. "But winning 14 games in a row - that doesn't happen too often. "I felt I wasn't getting the power in the first set, but I relaxed and it went fine." But it is far from gloom and doom for Reid, who had lengthy treatment after the match but whose world No.148 ranking is due for a rise after his showing in a week packed with learning experiences. The teenager was obviously feeling the effects after winning in the first five-set match of his career in the previous round. He was not able to challenge Federer's potent mix of 31 winners, five aces and conversions on eight of 14 break-point chances against the clearly exhausted Australian. "It was difficult for him," Federer said. "He was coming off a long match and I read the game well. I could see where he prefers to hit his shots. "He started getting frustrated and it got easier for me. "He didn't look too tired until maybe 5-1 in the third set. I knew his legs would be hurting. "I wouldn't say he paid the price - but that five-set match can't have been good preparation." Such was Reid's lack of energy that the racquet flew out of his hand as he served in the fifth game of the third set, allowing Federer an easy return. But the challenger did salvage his pride as he finally stopped the rot to claim a game for 1-4 after saving a break point. "That match the other day took quite a bit out of me," Reid said . "To play my best, I need my legs. "I wasn't really there. He took hold of the match and dominated. "Things just weren't going well, there was not a lot I could do about it. "I still have a long way to go - there's still a lot for me to learn - but going up against the world No.2 taught me a lot. "He was ripping winners. He has an unbelievable forehand. I was lucky to win the last of my four games today. "But I've had a great summer. I've been backing up my matches, winning two a week. It's been good for me." After ending Reid's hopes of becoming the first wildcard to reach an Australian Open round of 16 since Mats Wilander in 1994, Federer said he still had to overcome some early difficulties. "It wasn't easy to play him as I hardly knew his game," he said. "But I knew he had to be playing well to have reached the third round." Once his initial disappointment dies, Reid can only be encouraged by his results during three weeks of the Australian tennis summer. From a standing start the teenager reached a pair of quarter-finals at ATP events in Adelaide and Sydney and put up his best performance in Melbourne, winning a total of eight matches after just two previously. His further rise in the ranks will be aided by his status as a reserve for, and gradual integration into, the Davis Cup team. Reid trounced by on-song Federer January 24, 2004 - 12:44PM Swiss world No.2 Roger Federer won 14 straight games en route to thrashing young Australian Todd Reid 6-3 6-0 6-1 in the third round of the Australian Open today. Reid started promisingly and broke in the fifth game of the first set to lead 3-2. But the rest of the match was one-way traffic, with the Australian wildcard appearing to still be suffering the after-effects of Thursday's gruelling five-setter against Armenian Sargis Sargsian. Reid smiled ruefully when he finally held serve in the fifth game of the third set after dropping the previous 14 games. "I played well," said Federer, the reigning Wimbledon champion. "I had my difficulties in the beginning, but after that I played a lot better." Federer will play either Australian Lleyton Hewitt or young Spaniard Rafael Nadal in the fourth round. AAP This story was found at: www.smh.com.au/articles/
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 25, 2004 12:30:18 GMT -5
Coming back to haunt him January 26, 2004 Roger Federer takes a 10-hour advantage into tonight's fourth-round Australian Open match against Lleyton Hewitt, but also a compelling reason to fear being mown down from behind. As much as Federer insists he has not been haunted by Hewitt's inspired September comeback in their Davis Cup semi-final, they are powerful images - difficult to forget or ignore. Federer said recently he was not bothered by his fade-out as much as had been assumed, for he had completed a fine opening win over Mark Philippoussis and then played five sets of doubles the next day while Hewitt lounged about with his feet up. Nor, Federer insisted, had he cost Switzerland its first Davis Cup finals appearance, even though, realistically, the chances of Michel Kratochvil defeating Philippoussis in the fifth rubber had looked remote. But what Federer cannot deny is that Hewitt has beaten him seven times out of nine - none on the grand slam stage, but the most recent, on Rod Laver Arena, from a deficit of two sets and 2-5. That was less than three months after Federer claimed his first Wimbledon title with an acclaimed display that contrasted with Hewitt's humiliating first round against Ivo Karlovic. "I played well in Davis Cup, and also here now," Federer said after his third consecutive straight-sets rout, over Australian wildcard Todd Reid on Saturday. "I'm looking forward. It's a good match-up. We've got two totally different games. He's got a much better record against me, so that's his advantage. But, you know, hopefully I can use something else. "We have always had very tight matches. You know, even though I've beaten him twice, one time I beat him [after] I saved match point. Could be also 9-1. On the other side, it could also be 5-4, 5-5, whatever. We've always had tight matches and physically tough, I always thought; Shanghai, Davis Cup, all the other matches. So I'm looking forward to it." Hewitt's patriotic fires will be burning on Australia Day but Federer has the advantage of an easier lead-in and had disposed of Reid almost 10 hours before Hewitt walked away from Saturday night's testing 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 defeat of Spanish teenager Rafael Nadal. There is no question whose form has been more impressive, although the quality of Hewitt's opposition has probably been higher. Nadal did not win a set but it was effectively a match between equals, and the rising star told the Spanish media afterwards that he believed he had been close to winning. Not a set, the whole match, he insisted, and blamed the Hewitt forehand for the fact that he did not. Much earlier on Saturday, Federer's forehand had dismantled Reid, and the second seed's next Australian opponent knows what to expect as he attempts to reach his first Open quarter-final in eight attempts. "Doesn't get any easier, that's for sure," Hewitt said. "Hopefully I can get off to a bit better start than I did last time against him a few months ago." Both were asked to explain the apparently lopsided 7-2 record. If Federer knew why, he said with a smile, it would be different. Hewitt graciously suggested his first few wins had come before Federer - who is just six months younger but started and matured slightly later - had reached his peak. "Since we've probably both been at our best, we've probably only played a couple of times, I think," Hewitt said. "Nearly all the matches have been pretty close. The only match I think I lost to him was in Basel, in his home town, in the semi-finals of the Swiss indoors, and I lost 7-6 in the third. I think I had match point. I've really got to play some of my best tennis to keep up with him." Philippoussis's best tennis, if he locates it, should be enough to overcome the wickedly talented but chronically unreliable Hicham Arazi in the preceding match on Rod Laver Arena. Arazi outplayed Albert Costa in four sets to reach the fourth round for the third time; Philippoussis has come this far three times before but, unlike Arazi, has never gone further. The local 10th seed is expecting Arazi to stay on the baseline, rally and run all day. "For me, it's important not to get pulled into that sort of play," Philippoussis said. "I think I'll try and keep the points short, chip and charge when I can, just put the pressure on them. If they pass me all day, it's just too good." This story was found at: www.smh.com.au/
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 26, 2004 10:53:56 GMT -5
Woo hoo Rogi! Beat Hewitt in his own backyard R16 46 63 60 64 [and a bagel no less]!! news.bbc.co.uk/Monday, 26 January, 2004, 11:27 GMT Federer passes Hewitt test Gamewatch: Federer v Hewitt More photos from Melbourne Roger Federer reached his first Australian Open quarter-final by ending the challenge of home hero Lleyton Hewitt in four sets. The second seed survived an early Hewitt barrage to rediscover his rhythm and seal a 4-6 6-3 6-0 6-4 victory. Hewitt started as if intent on celebrating Australia Day in style as his aggressive approach blunted Federer's fluency. But the Wimbledon champion responded superbly to book a last-eight appointment with the in-form David Nalbandian. Federer was frustrated early on as Hewitt broke his serve in the opening game of the match and held onto his own to take the first set. My goal is to go further, not just to beat Lleyton Roger Federer But the momentum switched in the sixth game of the second set as Hewitt was called for a harsh foot fault, losing his serve for the first time. Federer took full advantage to level the match and as his game improved, the errors flowed from Hewitt as he failed to win a game in the third set. "Maybe I got a little lucky with that foot-fault call, but I still felt like I started to play better and better," Federer said. "I was playing much more aggressive." Hewitt, to his credit, refused to blame the poor call for his defeat. "It's obviously disappointing when you hit an ace and get a foot-fault called," he said. "I still wouldn't have won the match. I ran into a guy who was too good for me tonight." The Australian, previously unbeaten this year, did emerge from his slump in the fourth set to raise the hopes of a partisan home crowd. Quarter-final head-to-heads But Federer broke his dogged opponent to go 3-2 up and held his serve and his nerve to clinch an impressive victory. He also banished the memories of his demoralising Davis Cup final defeat to Hewitt - from two sets up - on the same Rod Laver Arena court last September. "Big revenge, yeah, this is very big for me and my career," Federer added after only his third win in 11 meetings with the former world number one. "I'm chasing number one (ranking) in this tournament this year and it's me the bad guy (to Aussie fans) who has put Lleyton out of the draw. "But my goal is to go further, not just to beat Lleyton. Tomorrow I've got to forget what happened tonight and start from zero again." news.bbc.co.uk/NOW FOR THE REAL TEST!
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 27, 2004 20:57:45 GMT -5
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 28, 2004 12:27:35 GMT -5
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 28, 2004 13:45:15 GMT -5
Federer, Ferrero through to semis by Jordan Chong Wednesday, January 28, 2004 The remaining two men's semi-finalists at Australian Open 2004 have been confirmed, with Juan Carlos Ferrero and Roger Federer both impressive in their quarter-final victories on Day Ten at Melbourne Park. They will now clash on Friday night for a place in Sunday's final. Ferrero came through a searching test against Moroccan Hicham Arazi, prevailing 6-1 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-5), while in the evening match Roger Federer proved too good for David Nalbandian, earning his semi-final berth with a 7-5 6-4 5-7 6-3 result. The top two seeds in the bottom half of the men's draw have made it through to the final four. It is Ferrero's best result at the Australian Open, eclipsing his effort of last year, when he went down to South African Wayne Ferreira in the quarter-finals. The No.3 seed blitzed through the opening set in just 24 minutes and looked on track for a straight-forward victory but had to survive being set-point down to Arazi in both the second and third sets before advancing. Ferrero hit 12 forehand winners, had his serve broken only twice and won 75 per cent of points when the first ball went in, statistics he thought were keys to him grinding out the win. "The match was very tough, with a lot of long points and a lot of rallies. For my legs, it was a good test," the French Open champion said. "I think I played very good with my forehand. I tried to put a lot of pressure on his backhand with my forehand. I also think I served very good." For Arazi, it is the fourth time he has reached the last eight at a Grand Slam tournament, equalling his effort at the Australian Open 2000 and 1997-1998 performances at Roland Garros. That inability to improve on his career-best showing was what disappointed the 30-year-old most, particularly as he felt his game was coming together at the right end of the tournament. "I'm disappointed to be again in the quarter-finals and not to reach the semi-finals." "In the beginning of the tournament I was not playing very good. I just reached the third-round and then my game was getting better." In the night session on Rod Laver Arena, Federer improved his head-to-head record against Nalbandian to 5-2, the No.2 seed having lost his first five matches against the Argentine. The 22-year-old Swiss also continued his best-ever run at the Australian Open, having previously only made the fourth-round in both 2002 and 2003. A single break point in the 12th game of the opening set was enough for Federer to take the set. He never allowed Nalbandian to consolidate his two breaks in the second set and came back from losing the third with some powerful serving in the fourth. Federer hit 50 winners compared to Nalbandian's 26 and served 20 aces to five. The Swiss said it was pleasing to have come through against an opponent he lost to at the Australian and US Opens last year. "It's really nice to beat him in a slam. I'm happy to have beaten Hewitt and Nalbandian on the way to the semis. It's a very big satisfaction I have right now," Federer said. "I'm looking forward (to playing Ferrero). I'm confident now, even though I thought I played a better match against Hewitt. But I feel like I've definitely got the game to beat Ferrero," he added. Nalbandian, 22, who equals his best result at Melbourne Park, achieved 12 months ago, felt Federer handled the crucial points of the match with more composure. "The difference was in the big moments he played better than me. I had a lot of break points and he served really good. That's the difference," Nalbandian said.
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 28, 2004 19:58:53 GMT -5
Federer - started brightly (Getty Images) FEDERER OUSTS NALBANDIAN By Derek Bilton World number two Roger Federer ended David Nalbandian's impressive run at the Australian Open to reach his second Grand Slam semi-final and a clash with Juan Carlos Ferrero. Andy Roddick's defeat to Marat Safin means the number one ranking is up for grabs and one of Federer or Ferrero will leave Melbourne as the leading player in the world. Victory for Federer in the semi-final will grant him supremacy and the 22-year-old teed up the enticing encounter with a 7-5 6-4 5-7 6-3 victory over Nalbandian in two hours, 41 minutes of high-quality tennis under spitting skies on Rod Laver Arena. Perhaps tellingly, the last time Federer reached the semi-final in a Grand Slam he went on to land the title - at Wimbledon last year. "It is so much fun to stay for two weeks at the same place and after what I experienced at Wimbledon I want to live through that more times in my career," he said afterwards. "This is a very good start to the season." Statistically, Nalbandian had the advantage over Federer with five wins in their six meetings stretching back to 2002, including in the fourth round at last year's Australian Open. But the Wimbledon champion broke his duck with victory at the Masters Cup in Houston last November his confidence was flowing after a majestic display against Lleyton Hewitt in the last round and when the chance came to move ahead tonight he took it in clinical fashion. "Now (at the Australian Open) I play Hewitt, to play Nalbandian to play Ferrero. That is tough, especially over five sets, every second day - but I am looking forward to it, I'm confident now," he said. "Even though I played a better match against Hewitt I feel I have definitely got the game to beat Ferrero." The pair had started nervously but as the first set grew so the standard of tennis rose. Federer, serving at 5-5, conceded two break points with a double fault but the response from the Wimbledon champion was emphatic - four successive aces to take the game and force the pressure back on Nalbandian. That proved telling because the Argentinian failed to hold his serve, planting a forehand into the net to slip a set down despite having made only four unforced errors to Federer's 19. Still, it was a set won by the man who played the biggest points the best. "I've never hit four aces in a row. That was very important at that stage. They came at the right time. That was maybe the key of the match. Who knows?" said Federer. Nalbandian's response was swift and he broke Federer with a forehand down the line, but a set which began so promisingly again ended in frustration for the eighth seed. As Nalbandian conceded afterwards, it was Federer's ability to step up in the clutch moments which proved the difference. "It was so close," said the former Wimbledon finalist. "I think in the important points, in the big points, he played better than me. That's the difference." Twice he moved a break up, twice Federer broke back in a thrilling display of attacking tennis from both men. Again, though, Nalbandian failed to hold his serve to save the set, this time attempting an audacious, but telegraphed, drop shot. Federer glided to the net and finished off the point to move two sets up. Nalbandian's frustrations cranked up another notch. His first serve winning percentage had dipped from 86% in the first set to just 47% and it allowed Federer to move clear. But there was no lack of fight from Nalbandian and he pressured the Federer serve with great hustle and eventually sealed the breakthrough with a ripping backhand winner for a 6-5 lead. Serving for the set he slipped 0-30 down but this time it was Nalbandian who won the critical points with perfect execution and kept himself in the match by taking an enthralling set 7-5 in 50 minutes. Federer always seems composed, he gives little away on court and immediately after returning from a bathroom break he broke Nalbandian with a forehand pass. He cemented the advantage comfortably and served out the win. Federer is poised to take the number one spot. TOP SPOT UP FOR GRABS DOWN UNDER By Alex Lowe, PA Sport, Melbourne There will be more at stake than just a place in the Australian Open final when Juan Carlos Ferrero clashes with Roger Federer in Melbourne on Friday. The world number one ranking is effectively vacant after Andy Roddick was beaten in his quarter-final last night and only Ferrero, the French Open champion, or Federer can fill it. If Federer, the Wimbledon champion, wins through to his second Grand Slam final he will automatically assume the number one ranking for the first time in his career. Ferrero, with more points to defend after reaching the quarter-finals last year, will need to win the title to return to the top. The pair are taking very different approaches to the prospect of leaving Down Under on top of the world. For Ferrero, the prospect makes him even more determined to beat Federer and then either Andre Agassi or Marat Safin in the final. "Of course, of course. I am very motivated to try and get it again," he said after his victory over Hicham Arazi today. "I am very close to the number one. Because Roddick is out of the tournament he loses some points. I am in the semi-finals with the chance to go into the final and get closer to number one again." Federer, though, would rather not consider anything more than overcoming his Spanish rival and joining Martina Hingis as the only two Swiss players to have won the Australian Open. "We'll see. I can't say much. I don't want to because I'm focused on this tournament, on winning this tournament, especially now I have made it to the semi-finals. "The number one is secondary right now." For Roddick, who will slip to third after bowing out to Safin, it was not even a concern as he hit the town in Melbourne last night. "I have 11 months to get it back before the year ends," he said. "No-one can take away from me the fact that I was there and that I did have it. It's going to be jumping around a little bit this year. That's what makes it exciting." www.sportinglife.com/
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 28, 2004 20:28:06 GMT -5
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Post by Doris on Jan 29, 2004 4:33:47 GMT -5
Thanks RF Your doing a great job here
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 29, 2004 17:04:48 GMT -5
HOPP, ROGI!! It won't be that easy to beat Juanqui, you know, so give it all you have and as Doris says, cut down your UEs!!! Do you realize that Marat had 0 DFs and 33 aces vs. AA?!!! And he had only 3 DFs vs. Pandy... pretty impressive... AND I noticed how he, like ROGI, can do the killer return!! UNbelievable, these two!! I am torn... fr now on in this slam!
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 30, 2004 15:45:28 GMT -5
Woo hoo ROGI!! Keep going! Take the trophy! Federer claims No 1 ranking and books final spot From Neil Harman, Tennis correspondent, in Melbourne Roger Federer's ascent to the status of world No 1 - and about time too - demands a depth of respect worthy of someone who has taken on this sport single-handedly for the past two months and come out smelling of edelweiss. Sinking to his knees on Rod Laver Arena, the full extent of his achievement had, to coin a phrase, sunk in. There is still one step to go here, the final against Marat Safin, refreshed and restored to a health of the rudest proportion and ready to take on anyone, especially of immense repute. What would it do for the Russian's morale and his future direction if he were to defeat Federer on the back of sending both Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi packing? Do not bet the mortgage against it happening. Then again, in his past two major finals, at Wimbledon and in Houston for the Masters Cup, Federer has played such majestic tennis, handling the scale of the occasions with an aplomb that has its roots in an absolute confidence in himself and the way he plays the game. Even though he was not completely the master against Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain in a semi-final that failed to rekindle the passions of the previous three night sessions here, he did enough to win through. That is a true champion's talent. A lot of the match's stiffness had to do with Ferrero's incapacity, the toll of back and groin injuries visibly affecting his movement and anticipation. If Ferrero had been anywhere near completely fit, Federer would have needed to play an awful lot better than he did but one senses that would not have been beyond him. This was a semi-final to have done and dusted as quickly as he could - 90 minutes is a decent work out - and then back for a night's restful sleep, if such a thing is possible as he comes to terms with his new sporting status. What will the people of Switzerland give him after Juliet the cow was his prize for winning Wimbledon? An entire dairy herd perhaps? The country should certainly be milking Federer for all he is worth. He has a rare genius for tennis which is why even John McEnroe, happy to take the rise out of most of those he interviews when they come off court here, treats Federer more reverentially. It added to Federer's mystique that he is genuinely shy and even a might vulnerable away from the glare, but give him a tennis racket and someone to glide balls past and he is without peer. He has also got the tennis coaching bretheren extremely worried. If Federer can reach No 1 with no one but his girlfriend to answer to, why does anyone else need to fork out vast sums for someone to pick holes in their game? It is an intriguing subject for debate. The headlines in the morning's Melbourne Age summed up the semi-final perfectly. "Different strokes, blokes" it said, and never were truer words printed. Ferrero does not light the fires of many outside Spain and his memories of this stadium are still raw from nine weeks ago, when the Davis Cup Final against Australia rather blew up in his face. It needed him to get his nose in front to spark a real contest and so, at 3-3, love-40 on the Federer serve in the first set, came his chance. Federer's response was an ace, a crunching delivery that drew a mistimed backhand return and a volley in behind another powerful serve. Take that. Ferrero had no option. A flourish of shots later and he was ahead, Ferrero dispirited, the second set gone in 23 minutes. The same linesman who foot-faulted Lleyton Hewitt at a critical juncture in the fourth round against Federer called one searing Ferrero forehand wide when he might have made a fist of it. The third set was looking none too hopeful. After a series of failed attempts at retrieval, the Spaniard was grimacing. He said later it felt like a shot in one leg, then the other. Not the best condition in which to take on someone of the opposition's class. So, was reaching the exalted status of No 1 a relief for the 22-year-old Federer? "The relief came at Wimbledon," he said. "I have been close to No 1 before. I had my chances at Montreal last year against Roddick but I was so nervous my whole body was shaking and I couldn't do it then. This is a great start to the year for me but this championship isn't over yet. I know Marat [Safin] has the game to do well and while we are happy to have him back on the tour, we are a little bit scared at the same time. "He is definitely one of the best in the world on this surface. You can't get on him with a kick serve because he is so tall and strong with his backhand. Plus his movement is best on hard courts. His serve really bites on the surface. He's one of the toughest, for sure." No Aussie, no American, no Briton to compete the men's final and yet it could hardly be more appealing. The Swiss do not know they're born. "This is a satisfaction and a joy and also, of course, I'm very proud," Federer said. "Martina Hingis was No 1 on the women's side and now I'm the first Swiss man." Any prospect of the LTA twinning with the Swiss Federation? fr.sports.yahoo.com All Hail King Roger I!!
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 31, 2004 16:00:14 GMT -5
The new order in world tennis By Jake Niall February 1, 2004 In mid 2000, men's tennis launched a marketing campaign, "New Balls Please," designed to generate excitement about the coming batch of young players. During Wimbledon that year, moody photographs had been taken of such players as Marat Safin, Roger Federer, Lleyton Hewitt, Mark Philippoussis, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Tommy Haas and Gustavo Kuerten, as the men's tour looked to sell the hopeful notion that tennis had a new vanguard ready to replace Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras and Pat Rafter. For a while, the "New Balls" struggled to come on. Safin, after a startling rise in 2000, when he blitzed Pete Sampras in the US Open final, lost momentum. Federer and Ferrero were clearly major talents but they, too, stalled for a while. As '70s icon Guillermo Vilas observed, this generation took a while to "settle in". For much of 2001 and 2002, it appeared as though the New Balls had no balls. Federer, Safin and Ferrero won no grand slam titles; Federer, the most gifted of the trio, did not get past the quarter-finals. Haas, now injured, still hasn't arrived as his 26th birthday beckons. It was unclear if Federer, Safin and Ferrero had the mettle to match their gifts. Only Hewitt, without the arsenal of the others, had the intangible qualities, the heart and soul, of a champion. While Federer fiddled and Safin entertained himself, Hewitt was No.1 for the bulk of 2001 and 2002. Perhaps recognising that the New Balls were slow to arrive, the marketing campaign was expanded to take in photographs of the older players, accompanied by such slogans as "these balls still bounce" and "dream on, boys". Throw forward to 2004 and the New Balls are indeed rolling. Federer and Safin, the game's most outrageous talents, will face off in an intriguing final today that, barring injury or a Marat regression, should be repeated in grand slams over the next few years. Australian Open finalist Marat Safin fronts a crop of 'New Balls'. Ferrero, injured and tired since late 2003, still managed to make the semis at Melbourne Park; his worst result in slams was the fourth round at Wimbledon. He won the French Open, made the US Open final and was fleetingly world No.1. He had remoulded himself from a clay base. Meanwhile, a cocksure kid called Andy Roddick has emerged as the latest to carry the Star-Spangled Banner. Federer is considered the player's player. He is known by some of his top 10 peers as "the magician" for his unmatched ability to apply precision and finesse to a game that overdosed on power. Safin, too, is renowned for entertaining the troops on the professional tour, as much with his irreverent tongue as his racquet. Safin, who is returning to his peak after an injury lay-off, came to Melbourne Park as No. 86 in the world, yet, on the eve of the tournament, Federer had nominated him as the player to watch: "He's got a lot of things in his game which can make him a great, great player, and this is, for me, talent," Federer said. After his semi-final victory on Friday night, Federer reinforced the theme: "It's good to see (Safin) back, we're all happy, but we're scared at the same time." For the Australian Open, the advance of the new guard has been particularly pleasing. As is the case at the US Open, the Melbourne centre court, essentially rubber hardcourt, is fair to both clay courters and the dying serve-volley minority. Thus, a Ferrero can compete alongside Mark Philippoussis. The fairest court, it turns out, produces the fairest final of them all. May today's be a best and fairest. This story was found at: www.theage.com.au/ Hail King Roger!! www.atptennis.com
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Post by RogiFan on Feb 1, 2004 17:29:11 GMT -5
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Post by RogiFan on Feb 1, 2004 17:37:55 GMT -5
Rogi's one happy camper! es.sports.yahoo.com/ Sunday, 1 February, 2004, 05:34 GMT Majestic Federer takes title as it happened New world number one Roger Federer completely outplayed Marat Safin to win the Australian Open. Federer displayed the kind of breathtaking form which took him to the Wimbledon title last July in a commanding 7-6 6-4 6-2 win over Safin. Safin defeated Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick on his way to the final but he had no answer to the power and precision of his opponent. Federer sealed his second Grand Slam title with a fierce first serve. "What a great start to the year," said Federer, who became world number one with his semi-final win over Juan Carlos Ferrero. "To win the Australian Open and become number one in the world is a dream come true." Safin admitted he was affected by fatigue against Federer after spending over 17 hours on court just getting to the final. "I'm glad to be in the finals again and to have played my best tennis after last year's injuries," he said. "I just ran out of gas today." Many had expected the encounter between Safin and Federer, two of the most talented players in the game, to be a classic. But once Federer won a see-saw first set on a tiebreak, Safin's game fell away, with his first serve deserting him. The Russian battled gamely but even at peak form he would have struggled against Federer. The Swiss second seed broke Safin in the fifth game of the second set and closed out the set with a big serve down the middle to take a stranglehold on the match. The 22-year-old seized a double break in the third set with a whipped forehand pass to take a 4-1 lead and put an exasperated Safin out of his misery on his first match point after two hours and 15 minutes. news.bbc.co.uk/
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Post by RogiFan on Feb 6, 2004 15:46:54 GMT -5
:banana2: es.sports.yahoo.com/Switzerland's Federer levels tie with Romania Newly-crowned Australian Open Champion Roger Federer continued his winning form with a 76(4) 63 61 win over Victor Hanescu to level Switzerland’s tie with Romania at 1-1 on the opening day. The Swiss maestro took just one hour and 47 minutes to sweep past the Romanian No. 2 to clinch his 22nd Davis Cup win. The new World No. 1 overcame Hanescu with an impressive mix of topspins and slices which kept the 5,000 strong crowd at the Polivalenta Sports Hall riveted throughout. Hanescu held his own in the first set, saving three breakpoints on his own serve, but Federer’s greater experience paid off in the tie-break when he edged ahead 7-4. The first break of serve came at 3-3 in the second set, in Federer’s favour and from that point on he didn’t look back. The Swiss man claimed the set 63 and allowed the No. 72 ranked Romanian just one game in a one-sided third set. Federer is expected to partner Yves Allegro is Saturday’s doubles against Andrei Pavel and Gabriel Trifu in a match that could prove crucial to the outcome of the tie. www.daviscup.com/
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Post by RogiFan on Feb 7, 2004 20:22:26 GMT -5
:banana2: 07 Feb 2004 - Sala Polivalenta, Bucharest, ROM - ROM v SUI Doubles Win Gives Switzerland 2-1 Lead Roger Federer and Yves Allegro have taken Switzerland to a 2-1 lead over Romania after their doubles win over Andrei Pavel and Gabriel Trifu in their first round Davis Cup by BNP Paribas tie in Bucharest. In a five set match lasting 3 hours and 36 minutes Federer and Allegro overcome Pavel and Trifu 64 16 63 36 108. Federer, the World No. 1, will take on Pavel in the first of the reverse singles on Sunday with the chance of putting his country into the quarterfinals. The doubles match on Saturday was so tight throughout that five sets always looked on the cards, so it was no surprise when the crowd in the Sala Polivalenta found itself enjoying the drama of a deciding set. It truly was a nailbiting contest, with the pairs exchanging the first four sets. The crowd became more and more involved in the spectacle, and created a great atmosphere, which was quite intense, typical of Davis Cup by BNP Paribas ties. Andrei Pavel and Gabriel Trifu missed a golden opportunity in the 3rd set, when they had a break point for a 4-1 lead. Instead, Roger Federer served on the line and the Swiss team managed to come back to win the set. When the Swiss players had one match point at 8-7 in the 5th set, which Pavel saved for the Romanians with a timely ace, it seemed that maybe the Swiss’ chance had passed. However, the Romanians couldn't save the second match point, at 8-9, when Trifu was on serve, and Federer and Allegro were able to celebrate – along with their teammates – vicrtory in what may well turn out to be the decisive rubber in this tie. “I think we were a little bit lucky," Federer said at the press conferenece. "The match was incredibly tight and the Romanians would have deserved to win it as well." Allegro, who was making his Davis Cup debut, was also understandably elated: "In the last set, at one point, I asked Marc Rosset where to serve, and he didn't answer. Then, I prayed to return well, because I’d been making some mistakes." Andrei Pavel was of the opinion that the match came down to just one or two crucial points that made all the difference: "We were unlucky, but I want to forget about this match and to turn everything into a positive for Sunday’s match against Federer. He is as tired as I am, but I think I can win the contest." Trifu added:: "Federer played on three quarters of the court. Everywhere where we tried to send the ball, it was him, even when we were looking for Allegro. Roger moves very well on the court." Related Articles > Federer Pulls Switzerland Level Well, Marc looks happy... www.daviscup.com/
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