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Post by RogiFan on Aug 11, 2004 20:20:34 GMT -5
waiting for the ceremony... Rogi carrying the Swiss flag for ELVETIA...
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Post by RogiFan on Aug 12, 2004 16:52:08 GMT -5
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Post by RogiFan on Aug 12, 2004 16:54:28 GMT -5
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Post by RogiFan on Aug 12, 2004 17:00:47 GMT -5
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Post by RogiFan on Aug 16, 2004 16:31:20 GMT -5
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Post by RogiFan on Aug 16, 2004 16:37:05 GMT -5
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Post by ILR on Aug 16, 2004 16:38:45 GMT -5
His hair looks different And I heard about him getting a warning!! lol. My dad still tells me I have hair like him haha. Especially the pic from blick where he has his hair down :red:
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Post by RogiFan on Aug 16, 2004 16:39:00 GMT -5
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Post by RogiFan on Aug 17, 2004 11:55:49 GMT -5
Poor, poor Rogi... so many expectations and pressure on his lovely shoulders So much for Athens... look on th bright side: I don't have to worry about watching our only coverage on the w/end, esp if it's Pandy et co.! this pic sums it up: must be the red T cos Juanqui wore a weird reddish T also: www.blick.ch/Beaten by a nobody, as Blick put it... Time to rest up and regroup and work out a strategy for USO... yuk, my fave slam...
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Post by RogiFan on Aug 18, 2004 8:03:10 GMT -5
TT. BERDYCH defeats Roger 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 August 17, 2004 ATHENS 2004 Olympic Tennis Tournament Q. Can you talk about the singles defeat and how you feel about going out of the Olympics? ROGER FEDERER: Terrible, you know. What can I say? It's a terrible day for me, you know, losing singles and doubles. Obviously I was aiming for a better result than this, but that's what I got. So I have to live with it. Q. Do you know what went wrong in the match against Berdych? ROGER FEDERER: Many things. Q. Can you pinpoint? ROGER FEDERER: All of them? Is that okay? I wasn't real happy with my serve, my forehand, my backhand, my movement. So that about sums it up. It's a pity. Q. Did you get the sense early that things weren't quite working? ROGER FEDERER: Well, I had my chances, you know, basically up until the end, you know. Match was close. Had the feeling actually in the beginning, you know, serving all right. You know, took my chance there. Then in the second, you know, I started to feel like it was getting really tough to play in the sun, you know. Sun was very low and that was annoying. But he came up with some good shots. You know, he's young. He takes chances on big points. That's usually what happens. You know, he came up with them at the right moment, and that's what made the difference in the end. Q. Roger, no one is, for a minute, suggesting that you're in a slump or anything like that. But it's uncharacteristic for yourself since you moved up to the top of the game to lose a couple of matches so quickly one after another. What do you put it down to? Is it a case of you're just feeling a little bit tired at the moment, that things have caught up to you for a bit? ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, Toronto, you know, that was very close. I was also two points from the match; same as today. So I could have won both. But, you know, that's how it goes. I've been winning very many close matches which nobody talks about now. But I ended up winning them. You know, I had very little time to get ready, actually, for Cincinnati. I felt it there, I was playing also horrible. You know, Dominik obviously got the rhythm once he saved all those break points. And similar here. I never found the rhythm even though I got here early. That is a bit surprising to me, even though I felt right away that the conditions are quite tough to play in. But I thought it was going to go better in the match, but it didn't unfortunately. I probably would have needed a few more matches to get the confidence up. But too late. Q. You said when you got to Toronto that you felt that you would like another week off. After Wimbledon and Gstaad and Toronto, have you had too many matches? Is it mental tiredness? ROGER FEDERER: Well, obviously. I've been playing nonstop, you know. But I had like a week off after Gstaad, you know. So that was very important. And it's obvious it's going to catch up with me, eventually. And so unfortunately it's during the Olympics, but I thought anyhow that the preparation was good. I came here early, had some days off back in Switzerland after Cincinnati. So I thought the preparation was perfect for the Olympics. Unfortunately, didn't work out. But after the US Open, I will have another week off, you know. And after the US Open it will be easier. So I'm looking forward to that. Q. What do you do now before the US Open? ROGER FEDERER: Don't have much plans yet, you know. I'm probably going to leave Monday or Tuesday next week and go early to US Open. So I get over the jetlag and have the best preparation that I can have. www.athens2004.com/Just get your much-needed rest and prepare for USO, Rogi!
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Post by RogiFan on Aug 18, 2004 8:06:10 GMT -5
His hair looks different And I heard about him getting a warning!! lol. My dad still tells me I have hair like him haha. Especially the pic from blick where he has his hair down Rogi got his hair cut at the TO tournament [probably in their new salon!] -- but it seems to be getting in the way... he needs a hairband now, not a bandana... and he had to use hairpins to keep it in place... I saw him taking them out after he won -- I think Rogi had to keep his hair wet to keep it in place while he played... not a great idea, but it does look lovely when it's dry -- his curls blowing around!
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Post by RogiFan on Aug 26, 2004 20:40:33 GMT -5
ILR, your Dad's a sweetie! USO about to begin and Rogi has drawn Albert Costa in R1... hmm... OJO, Rogi! Watch out for the wily, smart veteran... I have no real expectations for any of my faves this slam, which I hate watching... so US-centric... so whatever happens, I shall have to accept... I shall still cheer for ROGI and Juanqui and Marat anyway.
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Post by RogiFan on Aug 29, 2004 22:47:03 GMT -5
Rogi, just play your tennis and enjoy yourself at the USO! Don't let Costa deceive you... He's a wily old guy... GO, ROGI!! fr.sports.yahoo.com/
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Post by RogiFan on Sept 1, 2004 8:23:39 GMT -5
Did I already do this?? Doesn't matter! VAMOS, ROGI v. Baghdatis!!!
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Post by RogiFan on Sept 2, 2004 8:23:12 GMT -5
Well Rogi you won but it wasn't pretty... not too impressed, just like the Swiss journalists who said after you beat Costa, that Federer won, but not convincingly... I agree This time Rogi did look tired, as if falling asleep... too nonchalant... got surprised by Marcos... Rogi's serve not working... too many UEs... getting worse there, Rogs... Don't think he s play Bangkok... he needs a real break before the TMS Madrid/Basel/Paris and TMC Houston... a lot to do still to remain #1. Federer sees off Baghdatis World number one Roger Federer battled past a spirited Marcos Baghdatis in Wednesday's night match at the US Open. The Swiss star became the first man to reach the third round with a 6-2 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 6-1 victory. Federer overwhelmed the 19-year-old Cypriot in the first set but let a lead slip in the second, before regaining his focus to wrap up the match. The top seed will face Russian Dmitry Tursunov or France's 31st seed Fabrice Santoro in the last 32. "I let him in the match and he took advantage of it," said Federer after his victory. "He took his chances in the second set and surprised me with some of his shots. "The match was almost too easy at the beginning and then all of sudden I was in a fight. Once I got my focus back in the third set he wasn't able to recover." It's pretty much the worst year of my tennis career so far Mark Philippoussis Fourth seed Lleyton Hewitt earlier breezed past Wayne Ferreira 6-1 7-5 6-4 in the first round. Hewitt arrived at Flushing Meadows as a contender with a winning streak of 11 matches, while Ferreira was playing in his final Grand Slam event. "When I get on a roll like I have been and I am winning more matches I feel more confident out there," said Hewitt after his victory. "The last few weeks I have been playing as well as I ever have." Fellow Australian Mark Philippoussis suffered a much worse day as he retired with a hip injury when trailing Nikolay Davydenko 6-1 3-6 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 1-4. "It was a spasm or something," said Philippoussis. "I couldn't push up on my serve. I've never had anything like this. I was feeling great out there. It came out of nowhere." Eighth seed David Nalbandian, another player who has had his fair share of injury problems, began well with a 6-4 7-6 6-3 defeat of Dennis van Scheppingen. The first surprise of the day came as former semi-finalist and 14th seed Fernando Gonzalez of Chile went down to Sweden's Robin Soderling 6-4 7-6 (7-3) 6-7 (4-7) 6-1. And 20th seed Gustavo Kuerten followed Gonzalez out of the tournament, with former world junior champion Kristian Pless beating the Brazilian 6-4 3-6 6-1 7-6 (7-4). In other first round matches, Sebastien Grosjean, seeded 12, fought past fellow Frenchman Olivier Patience 7-5 6-7 6-2 6-1, and Tommy Haas beat Davide Sanguinetti 6-1 5-7 6-2 3-6 6-2. Story from BBC SPORT: news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/tennis/3619374.stmPublished: 2004/09/02 02:48:35 GMT © BBC MMIV Better step it up for R3... Tursunov or Santoro... Just trying to defend his R16 pts won't be easy...
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LCeh
New Member
Posts: 4
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Post by LCeh on Sept 2, 2004 17:38:08 GMT -5
Hi RogiFan. Roger will be playing Santoro, it will be a tough match, especially since Santoro is quite mentally tough. Roger will have to be focused from the beginning till the end, and cannot afford the passiveness that he had in the second set against Baghdatis. Hopefully Roger will play much better this time.
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Post by RogiFan on Sept 3, 2004 22:42:36 GMT -5
Rogi has NO choice but to improve his game for Santoro... sick of the "magician" -- he's on my list of "ones I want to retire... and soon"! VAMOS, ROGI!!!!
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Post by RogiFan on Sept 6, 2004 9:39:31 GMT -5
GO, ROGI v. Pavel tonight!! Do it in straights -- conserve your energy as you are the last one up. VAMOS, ROGI!!!!
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Post by Partridge In A Pear Tree on Sept 6, 2004 14:33:03 GMT -5
Roger's conserving his energy alright. Poor Pavel, hope he recovers soon. so, Roger awaits the oldy baldy in the quarters!
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Post by RogiFan on Sept 6, 2004 18:22:40 GMT -5
Mrs. B.! Hmm... who can Rogi practise w to simulate playing v. :ass: ? Since Guille's not there, how about Lleyton?? or Serena?? ;D VAMOS, ROGI!!!!!
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Post by RogiFan on Sept 9, 2004 8:46:33 GMT -5
too bad Serena's not around anymore... Rogi could use an agressive practice partner before he finishes off :ass: Come on, Rogi, get your cute little ass in gear and make the SF [v. Henman??? ] We don't get this on TV unfortunately... our coverage cut off at 1pm today... damn the rain... and they think Wimby is rainy
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Post by RogiFan on Sept 9, 2004 14:38:26 GMT -5
Federer Beats Agassi in Five Sets, Henman Awaits in Semis Roger Federer advanced to the first US Open semifinal of his career Thursday, defeating two-time champion Andre Agassi, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, and keeping the top seed on track to become the first man to win three Grand Slam titles in a year since Mats Wilander in 1988. Federer, who has now won four straight matches against Agassi, will face Tim Henman in Saturday's semifinals. Henman was a 6-1, 7-5, 5-7, 6-2 winner earlier over Dominik Hrbaty. Next up in Arthur Ashe Stadium: 2001 champion Lleyton Hewitt vs. Tommy Haas. www.usopen.org
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Post by RogiFan on Sept 9, 2004 15:45:59 GMT -5
Federer finishes off Agassi World number one Roger Federer battled past Andre Agassi in five sets to set up a US Open semi against Tim Henman. The Swiss resumed leading by two sets to one after rain stopped play on Wednesday, but Agassi levelled with the only break in a tight fourth set. The pressure was now on Federer and, in windy conditions, he claimed the decisive break in game eight for a 6-3 2-6 7-5 3-6 6-3 victory. Agassi left Arthur Ashe Stadium to a huge cheer, with his future uncertain. Federer missed two chances to take control of the match as he let break points slip by in the fourth set and Agassi eventually made him pay as he levelled the match. But it was the Australian Open and Wimbledon champion who looked the more composed in the final set as the wind became increasingly difficult. "I was a little worried," Federer admitted afterwards. Hitting the ball in the centre of the court was a great shot today Andre Agassi "I missed chances in the fourth when I had a couple of break points and from then on it was 50-50, who's going to make the mistakes, and he did at the right time for me." Federer had not played since Saturday following the withdrawal of fourth-round opponent Andrei Pavel and subsequent rain delays, but the Swiss was unconcerned. "That's what you have to do at the Open, you have to handle the planes, the night matches, the rain, the humidity, the opponents. "But to beat Andre on Centre Court is a nice feeling." Agassi admitted he had struggled more than his opponent with the blustery wind. "Hitting the ball in the centre of the court was a great shot today," said Agassi. "I just didn't come up with it when I needed it. It was as extreme as it gets. If chairs are blowing over that is a problem." And Federer is relishing the prospect of facing Henman in what will be a first US Open semi-final for both players, despite his record of just two wins in eight matches against the Briton. "I'm very pleased," he said. "I've won two slams already this year and I'm playing Henman next, who I have a bad record against, but luckily I beat him last time in Indian Wells. "He'll try to charge the net more against me because he knows if he plays from the back of the court he'll have difficulty." Story from BBC SPORT: news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/tennis/3643036.stmPublished: 2004/09/09 19:26:39 GMT © BBC MMIV
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Post by RogiFan on Sept 10, 2004 19:44:27 GMT -5
ROGI!!! Take the SF v. Tim and just win the whole slam now...
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Post by RogiFan on Sept 10, 2004 19:45:39 GMT -5
R. FEDERER/A. Agassi 6‑3, 2‑6, 7‑5, 3‑6, 6‑3 An interview with: ROGER FEDERER THE MODERATOR: First question. Q. Have you ever played in such windy conditions? How did it bother your game? ROGER FEDERER: Well, usually you only experience such winds on outside courts, really, because on big courts it's usually covered and the winds are very different. But today it felt like you're playing out on a field, you know, where there is no windbreakers, whatever. So this has been one of the toughest experiences I've had with the wind in a match situation, especially in such a big one. The tough about it was also that we had totally different conditions last night, you know ‑ playing in the night with no wind, coming to day session with huge winds, you know. So I'm happy to have coped well with that. Q. It was tough for you, but you handled it. What was your game plan? When you got up, you knew the wind would be there. Did you think, "What am I going to have to do?" ROGER FEDERER: I warmed up for a half an hour on the outside courts. The weather there, it was unbelievable windy. I didn't think like on Stadium Court would be too bad. I had my game plan, play aggressive, try to play same way as last night. I realized, "Well, this probably won't work. You have to play more safe, make sure you get your first serve into play," these kind of things. Confidence can slip away very quickly in such conditions. I had one game where I served three or four double‑faults and totally lost my game. But the winds were so strong, it was tough to play especially with the wind. You would touch the ball and the ball would fly a long, long way. So in the end it was more just trying to wait for the opponent's mistake and, you know, I guess the difference today was that I was up two sets to one, you know. He made one mistake and he loses the match. I make one mistake and I lose only one set. So that was my advantage today. Q. Did it feel like two different matches? ROGER FEDERER: Uh‑hmm. Q. Did Andre seem like a different opponent today than he did yesterday? ROGER FEDERER: Well, we couldn't play our games. Usually we are guys who look for the winner, you know, play aggressive. But we could not play this way, you know. So it did feel like two different matches, yeah. Q. Was it more a mental game today than it was last night? ROGER FEDERER: Tough to say, you know. We just ‑‑ today was more play to win, you know, than to play well. I don't know what to say. It was tough, you know. Q. You're serving in the fourth set. Wind was just about as bad. Fifth set you were almost flawless. What was the difference? What did you do? ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I guess the toss is very important in the wind like this. And if you make the first, you know, you don't have the pressure to serve a double‑fault, you know. I had the feeling that fourth set, when I had that bad game on my serve, I really had the feeling there was such strong winds I couldn't even toss my ball right. I had to kind of toss it behind me so it would come forward and hope that it would land in the right spot, you know. That's how extreme it is. Actually, was easier to play against the wind because you could just kind of tee off and hit flat and wait a little more for the opponent's mistake. Q. One question about your slice backhand today into the wind that allowed the ball to die in front of Andre. How key was that shot for you today? ROGER FEDERER: That was a risky shot, I thought. I hit a couple of those. One on breakpoint in the fifth and I thought, "Why not do it?" But it gets so short. You know, with the backspin, it comes back and he's on top of the net. You really wonder if that's the right shot to play. But then he mis‑hits a little bit and it goes out. I guess at that moment it was the right shot. Q. Final game, third point. ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, well the breakpoint at 4‑3. Q. Can you go back to last night, the third set. You played a great first set. He played well in the second. Third, very, very close. He seemed to be in control. Then in the end you pull it out. How important was that? How were you feeling at that stage? ROGER FEDERER: Well, actually, I had the feeling I started well the match, like you said. I had a good first set. I had a feeling after he played really aggressive and didn't miss many shots, I was always put him under pressure. He was putting me on the run many of the times. It was tough from then, you know. I had really difficulties to recover from that one game he played. It was important just to stay even in the third set. Once I got to the middle of the third, I felt like, "Okay, if I can stay even with him and I get a chance, you know, one of his games, I can make the difference, then it's looking good for me." Because I know I have that game. If I keep winning my service games rather easy, I suddenly will get a chance on his serve. That's exactly what happened. For me, I would have preferred to continue last night in the rain, with these conditions. But unfortunately the rain came and kind of destroyed the game so we had to start from square one again today. But being ahead two sets to one was a big help.
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Post by RogiFan on Sept 10, 2004 19:46:03 GMT -5
Q. How is Andre viewed in the locker room? Is he a player to be feared? ROGER FEDERER: Of course. I don't know how you can ask such a question. I mean, we have huge respect for Andre, you know. We all think he's a great player. We know he's little bit older than me, you know, but he's not 50 or 60, you know (laughter). He can still run and play, you know, he can win tournaments and he can beat the best. So I don't know. Q. Your volleying today, particularly off the backhand side, and yesterday, how much of a factor are those misses the wind, and how much of it is Roger Federer not volleying very well? ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, didn't volley too well, you know. But what can I do, you know? Can't change it now. I hope for the next match it will be better. But Andre, we all know how well he passes. I should have made a few of the volleys, at least. I was taking a lot of chances from the baseline. I didn't go to net very often, didn't hardly serve and volley ever. So this is because I have a lot of respect for his baseline game, his passing shots and the returns. I guess I wanted to maybe do a little bit too much sometimes, but... Q. The eighth game lob shot that you had, can you talk about that. It saved game point. ROGER FEDERER: 30‑All point, wasn't it? Q. He was serving. Got you back to deuce. ROGER FEDERER: Got me back to deuce. Hit a lob then I had an overhead. Is that right? Q. Just the lob. ROGER FEDERER: Backhand? Yes. Yeah, looking back, I remember it got me back to deuce, you're right. I remember that. I told myself, "This could be maybe the shot that's going to make the difference." Q. That was with the wind? ROGER FEDERER: Against it. It was against the wind, yeah. It's easier. Q. Can you talk about the challenges that Henman will present in the next round. ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, he will be tough. Comes to the net all the time, puts you under pressure, you know. First probably have to analyze the conditions, you know, how they are, because they play a big role now, I've realized. Good for me is that I won the last meeting we had in Indian Wells. That, obviously, gives me not a lot of confidence, but gives me ‑‑ knowing that I can beat him is good. I've had quite a bad record against him, I think. So not too surprised he made it to the semis, but that he won the first few rounds surprised me because I know he had a back problem, quite a bad one. But it's good for him. He's had a consistent year and he will be a tough opponent. Q. Why do you think he's caused you problems in the past specifically, and what did you do specifically in that match in Indian Wells that perhaps got his measure? ROGER FEDERER: Well, we had some close matches, you know, some when I was younger, when he was the big favorite, you know. When I had the matchpoint in Vienna, didn't make it. Then in Paris I felt tired. But nevertheless, he always charges me, he always puts me under pressure. I have the feeling he returns extremely well. He gets back a lot of balls. On the second serve, he comes at you all the time. At the net, I find him the best in the world, you know, he's really that good. That kind of ‑‑ I couldn't handle that up until Indian Wells, really. I had the feeling I really served well. I mixed it up extremely well. I was dominant from the baseline, which was very important. Q. When this match restarted today, it looked for a time as if you felt more comfortable in the wind than Andre did, which was surprising. Many people consider him the best wind player in tennis. It began to change in the fourth set. You looked a little uncomfortable ‑ maybe a lot uncomfortable in the wind. Did there ever come a point in that fourth set where you began to wonder seriously if you were going to be able to win this match? ROGER FEDERER: You know what, I had the feeling I actually started well the fourth set. I was hitting well. I had a couple of breakpoints. I thought, "Well, if I can make the break here, I'm probably going to win this in four." But, you know, he hang in there. Then I had this one bad game. Also when you serve it out, I just tried to chip it back, but the wind was so strong at that point I really lost all my confidence ‑ if I should actually hit through the ball or just push it in or should I chip and charge, should I come at him and make him hit passing shots. But when I would come in, he would pass me, you know. So I lost little bit of confidence. Obviously, the beginning of the fifth was extremely important not to be down because then I think I would have lost the match. Q. You never thought, "I'm not going to win"? ROGER FEDERER: I thought I still have fifth set, you know. A chance there. But I felt like, like you said, he was starting to play better in the end of the fourth. And he was putting a lot of pressure on me because I started to feel like he started to return better. My serve was not working like I wanted it to work. At that point, I was worried, yes. Q. Andre said as long as he can continue to force the best players in the world to play their best in order to beat them, he'll want to continue to compete. Did he do that? ROGER FEDERER: Well, definitely he did, yeah. I think he will play here next year, you know. That's really my opinion. I think he should, you know, because he's playing that well, you know. The losses he had in the summer, you know, were surprising for all of us ‑ I think also for himself. As long as his body is feeling okay, you know, I think he should definitely keep on playing because the crowds love him, you know. It would be a pity if he goes away. FastScripts by ASAP Sports... www.usopen.org/
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Post by RogiFan on Sept 10, 2004 19:46:35 GMT -5
Head-to-head: Federer v Henman By Piers Newbery FEDERER (1) v HENMAN (5) 23------------ Age -------------30 Swiss-------- Nat ----------British 3------------ Slams -------------0 19------- Career titles -------11 $11.4m---- Earnings ------$10m 2------- Head-to-head --------6 2-------- (Hardcourt) ----------2 Tim Henman faces the biggest challenge in tennis when he takes on Roger Federer in the semi-finals of the US Open on Saturday. The Swiss star has confirmed his position as world number one in 2004 and claimed two of the three Grand Slams played so far, in Australia and at Wimbledon. Federer has won titles this year on all three surfaces - hardcourt, clay and grass - and developed a real edge over leading rivals Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi and Lleyton Hewitt. With Henman yet to even make a Grand Slam final, and having turned 30 at the start of the week, what hope is there for the British number one? HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD The good news for Henman fans is that the Briton holds a commanding 6-2 career lead over Federer, including wins in the Paris Masters last year and in Rotterdam earlier this year, plus a Wimbledon quarter-final success in 2001. The bad news is that Federer has recently set about reversing poor records against a number of players and demolished Henman in their last meeting in Indian Wells. CONTRASTING STYLES Henman has certainly proved he can attack the Federer game and both players know he will be looking to reach the net at every opportunity, putting the pressure on the Swiss to make his passing shots. However, if there's one player who can rely on both his forehand and backhand passes it is Federer, and Henman's approach play will have to be precise. SURFACE PREVIOUS MEETINGS 2004 (Indian Wells) Federer 2004 (Rotterdam) Henman 2003 (Paris) Henman 2002 (Miami) Federer 2001 (Basel) Henman 2001 (Wimbledon) Henman 2000 (Vienna) Henman 1999 (Basel) Henman Henman is widely seen as a classic serve-and-volleyer at his happiest on grass, but this year's results back up his own feeling that in fact he prospers most on fast hardcourts - like those at Flushing Meadows. He gets more kick on his second serve, making him less vulnerable to breaks, and has more chance to attack his opponent's serve with chipped returns. Trying to pick which surface best suits Federer is like trying to choose which is his best shot. Answer: all of them. HANDLING THE PRESSURE Having won two Grand Slam titles already this year and beaten local hero Agassi in the quarter-finals it might seem strange to question Federer's nerve, but he has shown he can suffer like anyone else if his opponent starts strongly. While Federer is expected to win the tournament, Henman can relax having again broken new ground in a Grand Slam. The question is whether he will be able to see it through if he gets in a winning position. FANS' FAVOURITE The New York crowd is the most boisterous in tennis and is likely to favour the Brit, whose all-action style has made him a popular figure as it fits well with the traditional American view of how to play the game. Federer is hugely respected wherever he plays but his win over home favourite Agassi may not have won him many friends. VERDICT So, can Henman succeed where the likes of Hewitt, Roddick and Agassi have failed in Grand Slams this year and beat Federer? Well, if anyone can it is arguably the Briton. Henman's game is now so unique that it may still take time for Federer to adjust, even though he knows what is coming. But despite the cautious optimism of Henman's followers, a dose of reality is needed - and Federer's superior shot-making ability and seemingly unshakebale confidence should see the world number one through to another final. Story from BBC SPORT: news.bbc.co.uk/
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Post by RogiFan on Sept 11, 2004 21:36:54 GMT -5
GO, ROGI!!! Win your first USO slam title!!!! Really take it to Lleyton!!! COME ON!!! Hewitt hasn't been tested so far and Pim2 took care of Pandy for him and you took out AA... Just play your gorgeous tennis tomorrow!!!
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Post by RogiFan on Sept 11, 2004 21:49:19 GMT -5
September 11, 2004 R. FEDERER/T. Henman 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 An interview with: ROGER FEDERER THE MODERATOR: First question. Q. I know you've beaten Lleyton three times in a row. He seems to take a lot of encouragement from the Davis Cup tie last year when he did come back and beat you in five. ROGER FEDERER: Hmm. Q. Is that the sort of thing you want to avoid with him, getting into five sets? ROGER FEDERER: Well, what else should he look at? He shouldn't look at the match he played in Hamburg, you know. You look at the match which he won where he thought, you know, he played good tennis. I think that is the match which I think he played outstanding, and also myself I played good match. I was just empty, empty tank in the fifth, you know. So obviously, you know, the matches we had at the Australian Open was tough. I thought in Wimbledon it was tough as well. Hamburg was an exception. I'm definitely looking forward to a tough one and hope things, like at the Davis Cup, don't repeat themselves. But you never know. I'm definitely looking forward because in the past we've always had good matches. Q. I suppose what I'm getting at is do you think you're a different player? He had a good record against you earlier. Do you think you are now a different player? ROGER FEDERER: I think I am, yeah. I think especially mentally and physically I'm more stronger to handle him. In the past I wasn't. I think that makes a big difference now. Q. Is there a time where you remember you got down on yourself in any way playing him, where you thought you should have done better? ROGER FEDERER: Well, there was quite a few matches, you know, which were close, and three-setters and so on which I thought I was supposed to win that. Like in Davis Cup back in Switzerland one time we had a tiebreaker in the third. He ended up winning 6-1 in the fourth. I thought I should have won that match, but at the time he was just too strong, too confident. He was better than me earlier, which there he had the advantage of playing me and beating me. Now the last years I had, I have to build on this. Q. Were you just too strong and too confident today? ROGER FEDERER: I felt good, you know, going into today's match. At the beginning against him is always very important, you know, not to be down a break. I don't know. I always have the feeling he puts you under on a lot of pressure. It's always been like this when I played him and, you know, the bad record against him always is in the back of my mind. So it's like one of these matches where I know, "Look, if it goes well, I'm gonna win it. If it goes well, there's a chance I'm going to win." But still, you know, Tim can always turn it around. Q. When you lost that break back in the third, was there a moment where you started to doubt a little bit? ROGER FEDERER: Obviously. I thought, "I hope this is not going to be a fourth set or a tiebreak," because then the crowd's going to get into it. Him, he will start to play better, maybe take off a little bit of my shots and so on. But, you know, that was the good thing to break twice, you know, in the fourth -- in the third, sorry. That made the difference. Q. Nothing's, of course, certain here tomorrow; anything can happen out there. But have you had a chance, even in your quiet moments, to reflect on what could be of historical significance of winning a third Grand Slam? It hasn't been done in a number of years. ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, now that I'm in the finals, I start thinking about it, all the records. I think nobody's ever won four, their first four Grand Slam finals they've played. I have a chance for that tomorrow. There's a lot on the line for me - you know, my final record, which is very good. Then, obviously, it's another Grand Slam. You know, for me to move to four, that would be fantastic, and three of the year. I hope I can cope with all those things. Plus there's a very tough opponent, so... Q. How will you cope with those things? What will you do tomorrow morning? ROGER FEDERER: I don't know. Just keep the same routine, you know, and prepare well like I did for all the matches. Hopefully it's gonna do it. Q. What is your morning routine? You got a match at 4:30, for example, what would be your normal routine tomorrow? What time would you get up? ROGER FEDERER: I would sleep as long as I can, you know, just have breakfast, come over, warm up for half an hour, have lunch and then get ready. It's quite simple, you know. But, indeed, I mean, the whole preparation starts in the evening when I start thinking about the match, you know, what's going to come my way. That's how it is. Q. Are you a person that likes to eat by himself before the match or you like being surrounded by your people, do you talk to anyone? ROGER FEDERER: No, no problem. I spoke to Tim before the match today. It's not like I want to be in my corner. Q. Clearly, you've improved tremendously since you started playing Tim all those years ago. Do you see signs that he is still up there, he's a contender, improvements in his game as well? ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, I think he's really proven himself, you know, even more than he has in the past, you know, especially on the Grand Slam tournaments - twice semis, quarters. I don't remember how he played in Australia. I have the feeling he's definitely going to be -- improved his game. He's a level better than in the past. So, obviously, I have moved up a few levels since we've played each other the first time in Basel. So, I mean, unfortunately for him, you know, he's always played against tough opponents in the semis. He told me he's been in the semis five or six times. I mean, that's tough to play the players he lost to. I always say you give yourself more chances and suddenly you're going to make a breakthrough. Q. You obviously are playing so beautifully now. What is the one thing that you would like to improve in your own game? ROGER FEDERER: Well, right now there's not too much, you know (smiling). It's been working fine for me, the way I'm playing. Maybe if I improve on a thing, my whole game might change. Then it's not the same anymore. Right now I have a very solid base, you know. I feel very confident out on the court. It's important that every day I wake up, I'm 100 percent, you know, into tennis and ready to go. Q. Are you sort of saying, "If it isn't broke, don't fix it"? ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, that's how I look at it for the moment because I'm my own coach, you know. I tell myself like, "As long as I keep on winning, and especially playing at this high level that I am basically every week now, I don't see a point changing anything." Q. You're doing so well as your own coach. Do you think that's a threat to teaching pros around the world? Do you think that will lead to great unemployment? ROGER FEDERER: No, no, that's not what I want. They're important people - especially, I think, in a career when you're a Junior or when you're very young. You know, you're going to have to have the right people at the right time. Once you make it on the circuit, then it depends what you need most - the coach, a condition trainer, a massage therapist, whatever. I'm not trying to be a trend-setter in this direction.
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Post by RogiFan on Sept 11, 2004 21:52:33 GMT -5
Q. During the break at Wimbledon, you came out so strong. In a way, do you think you outcoached your opponent's coach at that point? ROGER FEDERER: You mean Brad (smiling)? I don't know. I took a chance, and it worked, you know. I'm very happy about it because it was the Wimbledon final. Q. So that's a yes? ROGER FEDERER: (Smiling) probably. Q. What did you and Tim talk about in the locker room before the match? Did you talk at all afterwards? ROGER FEDERER: We didn't speak after because he went to press right away. Before, we just chat, you know, like friends, buddies. Q. Like what you had for lunch? ROGER FEDERER: No, not really. Just maybe about the match, about Lleyton and so on. Nothing really. Q. Is there any shot you like to play more than others, that gives you more satisfaction? Topspin lob, dropshot, some kind of humiliation for the opponent or no? ROGER FEDERER: No, no. Obviously, the nicer the point, the more -- the better I feel, the more excited I get. But I never play that my opponent looks stupid. I think that is wrong. I have too much respect for every opponent I play. Tim, he hit some great shots today. I think we had some great points, actually, all in all. It's always this way, you know, when somebody is at the net, and you keep on passing, you always come up with some reflex and some nice points. I sometimes surprised myself today what shots I pulled off, you know, because some were at very important moments, and these are the ones that count the most. Q. Is it especially true of the point when he had just broken you back in the first set, you played a lob at 15-Love. It landed on the line. You felt that was an important point for you. Got back into that first set. ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, you never know what's going to happen, you know. So I always just tell myself I have to make him work hard on their own service games, you know. Like this, they lose energy on their service games, it maybe gives me an easier service game myself. Then obviously, you know, like against Agassi, also I had a lob winner which got me back in the one game. These kind of things, you know, sometimes make the difference; you never know. Q. Did you see Lleyton in the last days? Do you think the best improvement is in serve or what department? ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, it's not always just improvement once he does well at a tournament. He's got a very consistent base since he's basically 17 years old. You know, he's been the same player, but he's just gotten stronger, more experienced and so on. He knows how to win this tournament, so it's going to be difficult for me. He's been in the US Open finals; me, never. For me, I want to say I'm the huge favorite, but I think it's quite even, you know. Not much that struck me where he was better at. I'm always surprised how well his defense is because it's probably the best in the world. Q. How different do you feel this US Open getting further than you ever had? I know you've been in New York three weeks. Are you more relaxed? What do you attribute your success here? ROGER FEDERER: It's difficult to say. I always come here hoping I will play well. It's a Grand Slam, where the focus is the most. Didn't really -- maybe the biggest change I did this year is I came very early to New York instead of coming maybe on Thursday or so. I came already on Monday to give myself time to prepare, try to forget the Olympic Games and so on. Obviously, you know, with the whole confidence, the whole Grand Slam record I have this year gives me huge confidence. I took advantage of it, you know, of my draws. Looking back, it was good to have those days off before the Agassi match, and now I took advantage of it by beating Agassi and Henman. So I don't know. I hope I can keep it up also next few years. Q. Will tomorrow erase the disappointment from the Olympics? ROGER FEDERER: It already did. With the result I had here, it kind of really pushed it aside. I mean, the good memory I have is carrying the flag. I was very proud about that, you know; you can imagine. But, obviously, the result is not what I was hoping for. But I got over it fairly quickly, so... Q. What thoughts went through your head when you carried the flag? ROGER FEDERER: I was very proud. I mean, I'm a big idol, you know, or a star in Switzerland. All the other athletes look up to me as well. I can feel it, they want to take pictures with me and the flag. It was a very special moment when I walked in. To the right I had the fans; to the left I had the athletes. Both were applauding. This, for me, was a very new situation. I felt I had a lot of pride doing that, and I was surprised, you know, being named actually the person to carry the flag. Q. Why do you love this game? Can you be philosophic about that? ROGER FEDERER: It's always the game I probably love the most, definitely, next to soccer. But I've always loved actually controlling, you know, winning or losing myself. In soccer I didn't feel this way. Q. Something in the game itself? ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I think it's very artistic, you know. I mean, I like my game, you know, the way I play it, because this is how the seniors now used to play, and this is how I used to look - watch tennis and learn the game. Now that I can play it on the modern basis, it's very special for me. Q. Is there any soccer player that reminds you of you? ROGER FEDERER: It's not up to me to say who I play like. Q. Or you admire. ROGER FEDERER: Who I admire the most? Q. Yes, someone you really like to watch play? ROGER FEDERER: Zidane. Q. What is there, if anything, that scares you about playing Lleyton? What's the fear you have with him? ROGER FEDERER: I've beaten him. There's no more fear, really, just respect towards the great player he is and a great competitor. So I'm going out there to have a good match tomorrow. I know it's going to be tough. For me, him and Agassi are the ones you always know you will have to run a lot and you're gonna have your long rallies, especially Lleyton gets back a lot of balls. It's not fear, you know... Q. I don't mean fear as in you're going to lose. ROGER FEDERER: I'm looking forward to it. It's a big occasion for both of us. It's going to be interesting to see. Q. What in his game do you not want to allow him to do? ROGER FEDERER: I don't want him to put me left and right, you know, for five hours (laughter). Try to avoid that, you know. It's the same as every opponent, so... Q. Since you invited the media two years ago in Hamburg after your win, you had many more wins of course. Do we have another chance maybe tomorrow, champagne? ROGER FEDERER: I don't know. If you guys are ready to just party, I'm fine with that (laughter). But first I have a lot of points to win tomorrow, you know, a lot of forehand winners and serves and so on. We'll see what happens. www.usopen.org/fr.sports.yahoo.com/ph/tennis_p.html?b=28
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