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Post by RogiFan on Mar 23, 2005 14:37:13 GMT -5
Rogi d Lleyt 62 64 64 Indian Wells05 Final Rogi's 4th title in 2005 17th consecutive final win 26th career title! fr.sports.yahoo.com/
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Post by RogiFan on Mar 23, 2005 14:38:36 GMT -5
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Post by RogiFan on Apr 1, 2005 21:32:35 GMT -5
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Post by RogiFan on Apr 6, 2005 19:37:59 GMT -5
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Post by Doris on Apr 10, 2005 9:12:02 GMT -5
rf thanks for doing a great job with pic here!!
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Post by RogiFan on Apr 11, 2005 10:58:23 GMT -5
Love this pic! kp.ru/daily/23491.4/38640/Article in Russian Rogi just wanted to hold Max's daughter Melanie to see what it's like to be a Dad!
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Post by Lee on Apr 11, 2005 14:58:47 GMT -5
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Post by TennisHack on Apr 11, 2005 15:01:20 GMT -5
Yeah, Lee, I saw that on Getty last night and was wondering what it was for RF -- hmm, he's not getting any ideas, is he? Max's daughter is soooooo cute
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Post by RogiFan on Apr 15, 2005 20:39:06 GMT -5
Richard d Rogi QF Monte Carlo05 R. GASQUET /R. Federer 6‑7, 6‑2, 7‑6 An interview with: ROGER FEDERER Q. It was exciting to watch, but how frustrating was it for you? ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, of course it's rather frustrating, you know, after having matchpoint and ending up losing. So of course frustration is high and disappointment is there, too. But, you know, he played good, you know, when it mattered. He could have closed it out earlier. He missed it, though. That gave me a chance, I came back. I should have won it. But it was a close match. I thought it was good, quality tennis. Q. What is it about his game that worried you most? ROGER FEDERER: Well, I couldn't quite understand the way he was playing. You know, in the beginning he was rather pushing the ball. In the second, he was just hitting clean winners all the time. And to do that on a regular basis, I find it very hard, you know. But you don't get those players very much anymore, you know. You would consider Gonzalez a dangerous player, you know, but he tees off of both sides on the run. On the return, it doesn't matter. You just don't face opponents like this these days. I guess this was a little unusual for me. You know, he played great in the second set, in the beginning of the third. Really played into this zone where you had the feeling there was no more you could do, you know. And that's a little bit how I felt, too. I would have to play him, you know, more often to really get a sense of, you know, how consistent he is, you know. But he's definitely played a great match today. Q. It seemed you had some problems to return his serve, especially the second serve. Did you feel you did not return as well as you usually do? ROGER FEDERER: Well, I don't want to say I played a bad match or a great match. It was just a match where I was hanging in there, you know. For this reason, I missed maybe forehands I don't miss, I missed backhands I don't miss. I played good forehands, too. It was just a very okay performance, you know, by my side. You know, of course with my experience and with all I have, you know, I can hang into these matches, you know, and when it matters, usually I could raise the bar. Today it almost happened again. But you can't get it out of every match like this, of course. I mean, I thought, you know, the unfortunate was that I couldn't hang on with him in the second set when he started to really, you know, change his game. Because this is when I would get him frustrated. I think then the match could really turn my way very quickly, you know. But I wouldn't say, you know, my return was bad today. It was just all right, you know. Same as the rest of my game. Q. How good is Gasquet now, and how good can he become from what you've seen today? ROGER FEDERER: I've hardly seen him play on other surfaces than clay. He stands very far back and he's got a great backhand, you know. I feel he can really hit it extremely hard, you know, both ways ‑ up the line and crosscourt. I have the feeling he returns well, especially off the second serve, you know. But how that's gonna do on the hard courts and everything, you know, I don't know. But he also showed that, you know, like in the second set, in the beginning of the third, when he was taking his chances also, taking the return early, he's a very dangerous player. He's definitely got the tools, you know. It's a matter of consistency. That's what I was struggling with in the beginning. I think that's what he was doing, too. I think a result like here at Monte‑Carlo , at least the semis, will boost his motivation to really go at it. Q. When you have such a long winning run, does that actually create a tension of its own? Does it weigh on you at all? ROGER FEDERER: Well, in a way, it does. It's tough to wake up every morning knowing you have to defend your streak or defend your, let's say, Top 10 record, or the finals streak, the streaks I'm having, you know. I have the feeling at the moment I'm playing against history, against the other players. So it's not so easy also. I'm happy the way I'm coping with it. So far it's been doing me good and not harm, so that's a good sign. Q. Is it more difficult for you on clay to find your timing? You missed a few shots that you don't miss usually. You can't take the ball as early as you do. ROGER FEDERER: It always depends on who you play. We're still very early in the season. I'm happy with the way I played this week, you know, to be honest. Of course I always hope to play well, to keep the streak alive, and all those things. But still, you know, to win three matches here and play, you know, be so close to make it to the semis again of the Masters Series , it's just not some bunny event we're playing here, we're playing the real deal. So this is still a pretty good result for a first tournament on clay. On this, I can build. I know what I have to kind of work on. I know where I can still improve. I know what has been going well. For the season, I think it was the right choice to come to Monaco . Q. In terms of the French Open , is this a setback or do you feel you have plenty of time between now and Roland Garros to prepare? ROGER FEDERER: No, this is not a setback at all. It's still too early. Also if I would have won it, it wouldn't help me much, you know, because, you know, the French is the French ; it's the best‑of‑five. Only there we will see really how good I'm playing. But I think this is a good start to the clay court season. Q. I think you never even practiced against Gasquet . You obviously don't know from experience how to play against him. Does it create that problem itself, that you haven't practiced against him? ROGER FEDERER: Well, I feel like it's an advantage for him, you know, because he's seen me play thousands of times, you know. I never get to see him. I mean, it's a little advantage. But on the other hand, you know, I have all the experience. But then again he's got nothing to lose. It kind of makes it tough to play players like this. I've lost to a few youngsters now over the last couple of years, but they played good matches, they took chances, they played well when it mattered, and that's why they beat me. As long as I keep on losing, you know, losing so tight, it's okay. If I lose Love and 1 against these guys, then I have a problem, you know. So I can walk away with these matches pretty all right. Q. He said yesterday he might be a bit intimidated against you on court. He didn't seem very intimidated. ROGER FEDERER: Nothing I could say about that.
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Post by RogiFan on Apr 15, 2005 20:39:19 GMT -5
Q. What would you say his chances are at the French Open ? ROGER FEDERER: Still so far away. He's got the home crowd, you know. The French , they are huge supporters for their own players. For this reason, he's going to be tough, you know. He's still young, you know, so don't expect him to win it right away. Q. You almost lost with Nadal , and you lost with Gasquet . The new generation coming up, is it more dangerous for you because maybe you don't know them, they have nothing to lose? What is your opinion? ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, Nadal is ‑‑ of course they are the same age, but Nadal , it seems like he's been around. I don't want to say he looks more mature, but he's played more big matches, you know, for instance the Davis Cup finals. Has Gasquet played a 27,000‑seater? No, he hasn't. He's just got that little bit of advance, you know, over Gasquet . But they definitely got both a great game. We've been talking about them for a long time, so... It's nice to see also Monfils getting all the wildcards and making it, you know, come along, you know. So not only we have our generation, and Agassi is still playing, but we also have the youngsters coming. So it's great for the game. This is going to be interesting for the future, you know, to see how the youngsters can play against our generation, and then our generation, how we go with Agassi and Henman , let's say, and maybe Moya you almost got to put in there. I think it's a very interesting time in tennis right now. Q. The only two matches you lost, you had matchpoints. ROGER FEDERER: (Smiling). Q. What that means? ROGER FEDERER: I choke badly (laughing). I don't know. It's a tough one, you know. Of course it crosses your mind at times ‑ the last match you lost was a matchpoint, you know you saved them already, suddenly you miss your first, you're like, "Oh, my God, if I lose this now again..." It's just in the heat of the moment you've got to take the right choices. I thought on the one forehand I had matchpoint on I should have gone to his forehand. But I also just missed it by a little bit, you know. So, I mean, what can I say, you know? He played well. He deserved to win so... Q. Did you try to keep away from his backhand as much as possible? ROGER FEDERER: No, I just had the feeling, you know, for me it was better to go to his forehand. He hit some terrific forehands as well. Both did. Maybe his backhand is more consistent. Q. Would you say his backhand is one of the best you've faced? ROGER FEDERER: Well, there's a few. There's a few good ones around. Q. He is French . French answer. ROGER FEDERER: (Smiling). What is the title going to be? No, it's always tough to tell who's got the best, especially backhand, because we got one‑handeds, we got two‑handeds. But one‑handed backhands, definitely one of the best, yes. Q. Can you remember anybody going so deep into the court to return your second serve? ROGER FEDERER: Deep into the court, you mean coming close? Q. Yeah. ROGER FEDERER: Well, that's his ‑‑ how the way he plays. He commits to take a chance. And if he wants, he can half‑volley my serve. It's not going to mean anything extraordinary, I feel, you know. If he returns the way he did, you know, by playing inconsistent, that is a great effort, you know. He mixed it up sometimes. You can see when he commits, but it's still tough to get away from it because he stays back 90%, and then he comes in on a few. So I don't really feel like this is what decides the match. THE MODERATOR: Questions in French , please. Q. It's the second time in this season that you lost a match. How do you cope with it? ROGER FEDERER: I'm really disappointed because I had matchpoints. It's never simple to lose a match like that. But in the third set, I was down, and I was able to come back again. He played well. I started well on the clay. I'm happy that I came to Monte‑Carlo ; it's just a pity that I lost this match. Q. Were you surprised by his level? ROGER FEDERER: No, I knew it was going to be a difficult match. In the beginning already he showed he was able to play good shots. I already saw him before play extraordinary shots. I knew I was supposed to be the favorite, but not as much as people thought. I know he said about me that I was his idol, but that didn't change anything for me. I approached that match like any other match. I saw during that match that he was able to remain for a long time at the same high level. Q. He certainly played the best match of his career, there's no doubt about that. But you, on your side, you never gave up, so he really had to have a considerable performance. ROGER FEDERER: Sure. Against the No. 1 player, it's very good to win a match after saving matchpoints. I suppose it's good for him and for the French press. For me, it's average. I'm not going to say I'm happy for him, but I know these things happen. I also lost already against other young players this season, and I know they can be very dangerous because they have nothing to lose. Q. Did you enjoy your match all the same? ROGER FEDERER: Average. I had not only to fight against him, but also to struggle with my game. It was not a bad match on my part, but it was not the best match of my life either. In the beginning, he was remaining very passive; then he became more aggressive. Now it still remains to be seen whether he can maintain this during a whole tournament or during a whole season. That was the next obstacle I had to fight against when I came up. I know he has the means to do so. Q. What do you think about the next match against Nadal and Gasquet ? ROGER FEDERER: I would give the advantage to Nadal . Last time they played was in Estoril , and after that Nadal got injured. It will be an interesting match. Whatever happens, there will be a young player in the final, which is good for the tournament. I also believe that in tennis nowadays we have the generation of Agassi , my generation, and the young players, so it's an interesting time for tennis. montecarlo.masters-series.com/1005/players/interviews/05_federer5.asp
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Post by RogiFan on Apr 15, 2005 20:40:45 GMT -5
Yeah, Lee, I saw that on Getty last night and was wondering what it was for RF -- hmm, he's not getting any ideas, is he? Max's daughter is soooooo cute Not really but I think Rogi does like children [like Gaston does] but Mirka might be getting ideas... she said she didn't want kids before she saw Melanie... check out the Russian interview... tough for me to translate! Maybe you can translate it!
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Post by RogiFan on Apr 15, 2005 20:43:34 GMT -5
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Post by TennisHack on Apr 22, 2005 18:24:27 GMT -5
Tennis world number one Roger Federer of Switzerland (R) greets his coach from childhood Seppli Kacovsky during a visit to his club TC Old Boys in Basel, Switzerland April 22, 2005. Federer played an exhibition match in support of his club from childhood. REUTERS SCHWEIZ/Siggi Bucher World number one tennis player Roger Federer of Switzerland poses beneath the 'Roger Federer Centre Court' at his club from childhood, TC Old Boys in Basel, Switzerland April 22, 2005. In honour of their special member, TC Old Boys named the court where Federer used to play the 'Roger Federer Centre Court'. REUTERS/Siggi Bucher
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Post by RogiFan on Apr 28, 2005 14:11:48 GMT -5
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Post by RogiFan on May 1, 2005 21:07:08 GMT -5
No Rogi in Roma05! Federer withdraws from Rome Open World number one Roger Federer has pulled out of next week's Rome Masters because of a foot injury. Federer is suffering from inflammation in the arches of both feet. The Swiss star's 25-match winning streak was recently brought to an end with defeat at the hands of 18-year-old Ricahrd Gasquet in Monte Carlo. The clay court tournament begins on Monday at Rome's Foro Italico stadium with Britain's Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski featuring in the draw. Federer has been in superb form this year, winning 35 of his 37 matches and picking up five titles, including the first two Masters Series events in Indian Wells and Miami. He is the second top-ranked player to withdraw from the Rome Masters this week, following former world number one Lleyton Hewitt who pulled out with a toe injury. Story from BBC SPORT: news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/tennis/4501235.stmPublished: 2005/04/30 12:32:38 GMT © BBC MMV Get better, ROGI!
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Post by RogiFan on May 8, 2005 11:30:12 GMT -5
Rogi back in Hamburg!! May 7 , 2005 Federer, Haas Take to the Water in Hamburg! Getty Images INDESIT ATP 2005 Race leader Roger Federer and German star Tommy Haas marked the start of the Masters Series Hamburg tournament in style on Saturday, playing on a special 'floating' tennis court on the River Elbe. The players traded their usual fluid ground strokes, except this time on a special court installed on a pontoon carried along by a push-barge. The activity coincided with the 816th birthday of the Hamburg harbour. The 30 meter-long pontoon was paraded in front of hordes of spectators on the banks of the River Elbe as the players braved the wind and the waves to put on a startling 20-minute exhibition in front of an estimated 15,000 spectators. The players, who received widespread applause for their efforts in unfavorable conditions, hit tennis balls to the intrigued crowd before hopping onto a second boat to tend to numerous media commitments prior to the start of main draw action in Hamburg. Federer: "It was a lot of fun and very enjoyable to play with Tommy. You could feel the waves, the court was definitely moving. It was windy, a nice fresh breeze and the surface was definitely a lot quicker than clay. We got used to it though and got some good rallies going in the end. They said 10 to 15,000 people watching from the harbour. That was fantastic." "It's the birthday of the harbour and it's something very special for the people here in Hamburg and it's good to try and promote the tournament. I'm feeling good and am the defending champion here here so I have high hopes to do it again. The draw is not the easiest one but I've been feeling good in practice and my coach Tony Roche is here this week as well. It's not every week that he is with me so I hope I can make a good effort here. I'm looking forward to the event." Haas: "Overall it was an unbelievable experience. It's the first time I've done something like that. I hope it's not the last as it was a lot of fun. It was very enjoyable and who knows, maybe it will be good preparation for the tournament. "It took a little bit of adjustment at the beginning. We tested each other's games and towards the end had some good rallies and started to feel pretty comfortable out there." www.atptennis.com/Tough draw tho... plays hot Verdasco, then probably hotter Ferrer... also Guga/Robredo and Coria in his quarter... but one match at a time... Hope Rogi is 100% and ready to defend his title! HOPP, ROGI!!!!
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Post by RogiFan on May 10, 2005 14:30:11 GMT -5
R1 Hamburg Press Conference with ROGER FEDERER Federer vs. Verdasco 6:4, 6:3 Q: Roger, how are the feet and how is it to be back in competition again? A: The feet are good, thank you. I don’t know if it is a 100%, that will show in the tough matches, the long matches. But so far there are no problems, that is a good sign. It was unfortunate I couldn’t play in Rome but I think it was the right decision. First of all I was exhausted and I had pain in my feet. I needed some time off, because maybe I travelled the world too much, but of course it was also fantastic. I’m fresh here, so I’m looking forward to this, and the French of course. The pressure there will be high. Q: Is taking a week off something you learned from last year when you got so tired? A: No, I think last year was everything right, I’m not complaining about last year. I think I know when to take my rest. Last year I had to take some rest at the end of the season, I didn’t want to but I had to because of my muscle problem. That is how it goes. I’ve been playing quite a bit this season, but that wasn’t the reason to pull out of Rome. Q: Can you tell us what you have been doing since Monte Carlo? A: I had a few days off after Monte Carlo. Then I wanted to start practicing again and felt pain in my feet again, so that was the reason for pulling out of Rome. Instead I started to practice mid-week of Rome to get ready for this. I could work out, go running and do body work and play a little bit of tennis, but not push it. I wanted to get some rest, so I have been back in Switzerland. Q: What exactly was the problem? A: I had sort of an inflammation. Q: How do you assess Verdasco’s achievement? A: It’s great to do what he does at his age. We haven’t had a guy doing that for I don’t know how many years. The last one I remember is Lleyton when he came at 16 or 18 and he was so good. Same with him now. I knew he would be a big favourite on clay. It was no surprise for me though because I knew what a strong player he was from Miami last year. That is good for the game, to have a youngster like that. I’m looking forward to more battles with him. Q: You timed your breaks and serves perfectly today. A: I think I was just concentrating an extra bit. I always try to get a good start, but couldn’t really get it. It’s tough, the conditions were quite slow. I was quite worried going into today’s match, because I know what a good player he is and the potential he has for the future. Especially left-handed seemed dangerous to me on the slow clay. But I coped well with it today, so that is definitely a boost for me. As I haven’t been playing for three weeks, just on the practice court, this was a tough match for me. Knowing if I lose this I have no more matches before the French. This gives me at least two matches now. I’m looking forward to more, but the draw is not getting any easier. Q: In Athens last year you had one of few defeats last year against Berdych. What is the explanation? A: I already felt in the first round that I couldn’t get the rhythm at the Olympics in Athens. Got through the first set against Berdych, but also didn’t feel comfortable then. In the end it was just a little unlucky, maybe in other tournaments I would have turned it around, but there I just didn’t feel good enough. On clay I hope it’s different. Q: You said you couldn’t play last week. But do you think it’s a good thing to have three weeks off in this time of the season? A: Who knows. If I win or lose, there is still something positive I can take out. If I lose it gives me more time off, it gives me more time to work on my game. If I win it’s good anyway. I haven’t spent much time at home since my home tournament in Basel after which I left for the Master’s Cup. I have been home for two weeks until Monte Carlo. I was happy to be just home and do different things. Q: Maybe you could appreciate the silly world this is and just sit back and relax. A: Well, it’s been good, because I’ve been feeling like I’ve been followed for six months now, always sitting in press rooms, so it was good not only to get a break from tennis but from all of you (laughs). I’m fresh and happy now to be back on tour. Q: Is everything you do now preparation for the French Open? A: In the end, yes. You want to play well there because the focus is huge. From the media side anyway I almost feel as if nobody cares how I play here. It all comes down to how I play at the French. I see that different, because I’m the defending champion here. So I’m concentrating on this. Now that I won my first round it’s all Hamburg and I don’t think about the French Open. Of course if I had lost I would have started to think about the French Open right away. But this isn’t the case. Rogi and Yves d Hrbaty/Ferrer 63 64! HOPP, ROGI vs. Berdych!!!!!
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Post by RogiFan on May 13, 2005 21:02:49 GMT -5
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Post by RogiFan on May 14, 2005 19:15:15 GMT -5
Rogi d Davydenko 63 64 in SF of Hamburg today HOPP, ROGI vs. Gasquet in the F. Richard had an easy run [exc for Massu in R2] to the F, esp today vs. C Rochus.
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Post by TennisHack on May 16, 2005 16:41:52 GMT -5
So Feds won the Sportsman of the Year at the Laureus Awards. There are lots of pics from Getty Images. His tux looked a bit ill-fitting, but I did like what Mirka had on Very spunky.
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Post by RogiFan on May 19, 2005 10:31:39 GMT -5
YAY, ROGI won Hamburg05 defeating Gasquet 63 75 76(4)!!! www.timesonline.co.uk/articl...1613889,00.html May 16, 2005 Federer finds feet for his Paris quest From Neil Harman Tennis Correspondent in Hamburg AND now on to Paris. Roger Federer resumed normal service yesterday, winning the Masters Series tournament in the chill of the Rothenbaum here for the third time in four years, and Richard Gasquet proved beyond dispute that he has the capacity to become a bit of a legend himself. Federer, having missed the Rome championship a week earlier with inflamed feet, showed a pretty sharp pair of heels in his 6-3, 7-5, 7-6 victory over Gasquet, who had beaten him in the quarter-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters a month ago, when doubts about the Swiss’s durability on clay were raised. This result, his nineteenth successive final win, should put some of the suspicions to one side. The world No 1 has not beamed so much through an acceptance speech and neither can a runner-up have received the sustained acclaim as that which wrapped Gasquet in an embrace of such warmth that the bear hug from Walter Knapper, the tournament director, was an unnecessary extra layer. Knapper was thrilled that his event had been rescued by such a match. “What would Roland Garros and Wimbledon not give for a final like this?” he said. The French Open would go down on its knees, that is for sure. Federer needs to win the championship to complete his grand-slam collection and if Gasquet were to be standing on the second Sunday in Paris, his opponent ought to be ready for an onslaught, both from a flashing blade and ferocious vocals, the like of which he will never have experienced before. We should remain balanced for the sake of the lad who is not 19 until next month. Rafael Nadal reaches the same age on men’s semi-finals day in Paris and that he sat out this event with a blistered finger means all else that happened this past week should be judged accordingly. (Andy Murray celebrated his 18th birthday yesterday and plays in the boys’ singles at Roland Garros.) The loss of Nadal and Carlos Moyà before they started here, and the sudden departures of Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick, were such that none is any the wiser about his title prospects when the dust starts to fly a week today. Of Federer, there is a certainty of purpose and a game that is undoubtedly beginning to benefit already from the arrival of Tony Roche, his coach, in Germany a week ago. Roche, a natural grass-court player who won the French Open in 1966, knows his charge is not going to win by staying back, so there is more slice, the drop shot is a regular weapon (although Gasquet started to pick it a bit early for Federer’s liking) and he is going to have to play plenty of the low volleys that interspersed his victory haul. To have beaten Guillermo Coria, last year’s beaten French Open finalist from Argentina, so imperiously in the quarter- finals was a huge step in the right direction. He knew, also, that he could not afford to start as stickily as he had in the semi-final against Nikolay Davydenko. He walked out nonchalantly into the arena, with his hands deep in his pockets, but once released, he swept into a 3-0 lead, held off three break points in the seventh game and won the opening set in 33 minutes. Gasquet had break points in the first two games of the second set but, as he bemoaned later, his returning lacked real devil. “He won all his service games, that is the key,” Gasquet, who breaks into the top 30 for the first time, said. “But this was my first Masters final, against Federer. I feel I did a good match. I see the future now. I won seven matches (he had qualified), I have a lot more experience and I go into the French with a lot of confidence.” eur.news1.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sp/reuters_ids/20050515/18/4109270413.jpg[/img]fr.sports.yahoo.com/
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Post by RogiFan on May 19, 2005 10:33:04 GMT -5
Hamburg Masters Federer brings Gasquet down to earth Federer 6-3, 7-5, 7-6 Gasquet Richard Jago in Hamburg Monday May 16, 2005 The Guardian It was billed as episode two of the world No1 versus the wonder kid, but it hardly felt like a revenge. That was because the only moment Roger Federer seemed in danger of going down to the 18-year-old Richard Gasquet was when the trainer took a large pair of scissors to a bandage on the champion's left foot and began making alarming inroads. The battered sole that was revealed may yet be an obstacle to Federer winning next week's French Open - despite the three-week injury break he took between his startling Monte Carlo loss to Gasquet and the 6-3, 7-5, 7-6 beating he gave him here. Fortunately, however, the physio's hand suffered no jerks nor trembles and Federer returned to trample a path to yet another collection of remarkable statistics. There was an extension of his all-time record of consecutive winning finals to 19, his 41st win in 43 matches since last year's US Open, his third Hamburg title in four years, and more than enough other stuff for an anorak's feast. But we knew Federer was likely to achieve these things. More remarkable in a way is that he got the chance to atone so quickly, and it was a tribute as much to Gasquet as to good fortune that Federer got it. The teenager struggled his way through an unlikely sequence of seven wins, two in the qualifying competition, as a result of which he probably started the final too tired to do himself justice. "My toughest moment was when I saw the draw," said Federer, which sounded a little incongruous, a moment of humorous gamesmanship coming from Mr Nice. "There was Verdasco, Berdych and Kuerten in my section, so to come through the tournament without dropping a set was fantastic." But there were enough flashes from Gasquet to show how and why last month he had produced such an amazing result. There were a couple of withering returns of the sort that had made mincemeat of Federer's second delivery in Monte Carlo, plus a first serve of his own that was consistently 25mph faster than the maestro's, and a backhand like a dream - fierce, accurate, so hard to read and surely destined to become one of the celebrated strokes of the modern game. But Gasquet started indifferently, once spraying a mishit so unexpectedly into the VIP section that it made several of them sway in alarm. He improved, but the match turned on his inability to chisel out any of the bigger points or to win the crucial second set. Five times Federer saved break points, and in the tie-break exuded such coolness about the business of wrapping up the match that it was unsurprising that Gasquet delivered a double fault. "I was tired," admitted the man-boy, suddenly looking more boyish. "But this was a final so it was different. And it was against Roger Federer, which is a dream for me. It still feels incredible even though I lost." Federer reckoned it had been important to keep his serve out of trouble better, which he managed by spinning it heavily in more often, rather than serving Gasquet up with pace. He also increasingly seems to be taking something from Tim Henman's tactical style on clay. Federer sliced balls in short and angled, sometimes carving them into drops, to bring his opponent out of his comfort zone, and he worked his way into the net three times as often as Gasquet. We can expect to see him developing more of these plays at Roland Garros. Long brutal rallies won't win him the title. "I can't go to the French Open thinking about aiming to win it," Federer said. "There are many hours on court, so many points to be won so much can happen. I have good feelings but feelings don't matter much when it starts. "The whole deal is over two weeks. I will have to focus on early inroads and see what happens. I can't think about aiming for the title." But others think about him aiming for it. On this evidence Federer is playing well enough - along with Rafael Nadal and Guillermo Coria - to be considered one of the favourites. If so, more history may be beckoning. sport.guardian.co.uk/tennis/story/0,10069,1484691,00.html Federer smooths way to Paris By Barry Wood in Hamburg (Filed: 16/05/2005) Roger Federer warmed up for the French Open by stretching his record in ATP finals to 19 successive victories when he beat Richard Gasquet to win the Hamburg Masters. Federer's surprise defeat by Gasquet in April led to him taking three weeks off. But he returned in style here, beating Gasquet 6-3, 7-5, 7-6 yesterday. Gasquet, 18, who had to qualify for the tournament, was clearly tired after seven matches in nine days and he failed to show the form that took him to victory over Federer in the Monte Carlo quarter-finals. Federer caught Gasquet cold and broke him in the second game with an overhead shot that clipped the net cord but fell in his favour. Federer then struggled to maintain his advantage, fighting off three break points at 4-2 and then two more early in the second set. Gasquet played just one poor service game, but crucially it came at 5-5 in the second set when he was broken to love, and Federer claimed the set by winning 12 of the last 13 points. After no break points in the third set, Federer took the tie-break 7-4. "To come through the week without losing a set is very nice, and it gives me great belief that I can also do better at the French Open," said Federer, who has gone no further in that tournament than the third round in the last three years. "I have a good feeling, but feelings don't matter much once it starts. It's the real deal over five sets for two weeks. I cannot think about aiming for the title. The last few years have been too disappointing for me, and I really have to focus on the early rounds." Despite his defeat, Gasquet will approach the French Open, which starts next Monday, in good spirits. "I have a lot of confidence now for Roland Garros, because I played some great matches here and today was a good experience for me," he said. "I was nervous at the beginning of the match but then it was OK. But I didn't return good in all the match. That was the key, I think." Amelie Mauresmo retained her Italian Open title yesterday, beating Patty Schnyder 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, and, she hopes, putting herself in prime position for a decent run at the French Open. Mauresmo arrived in Rome unsure of her form and fitness. A strained abdominal muscle had limited her clay-court season and a lack of direction had scuppered her results. But back at her favourite city and her favourite event, she gradually began to find her rhythm. From a miserably poor start against Schnyder, she began to apply the pressure in the second set. A furious argument with Romano Grillotti, the umpire, over a missed line call seemed to clear her head and from that moment on, Mauresmo was able to take control. "I just took it as a relaxed tournament," she said. "And then finally, I'm here with the trophy on the last day. Maybe I should do that at every tournament I go to, especially the grand slams and the French Open." The French Open, though, is where Mauresmo struggles most. Overwhelmed by the pressure of performing well in front of her home crowd, she has never got beyond the quarter-finals. Winning two Italian titles from five finals over the last six years proves she can beat anyone on clay - now she just has to learn how not to beat herself when she gets to Roland Garros. www.telegraph.co.uk/
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Post by RogiFan on May 19, 2005 10:33:42 GMT -5
Hamburg, 15. May 2005 Press Conference with ROGER FEDERER Federer against Gasquet 6:3, 7:5, 7:6 (4)
Q: Straight sets, but not an easy match, was it?
A: No, as expected, he won the last one, so you can’t expect an easy match. But in the end straight sets is always convincing in my eyes. So I played a good match, I had to. He moves well and therefore I’m very happy about the way I played today.
Q: When you look back at the tournament, were there any real challenges for you?
A: I thought, the toughest moment was almost when I looked at the draw. I was really worried, because I didn’t play Rome. Then came into here and saw Verdasco to play, Ferrero and Kuerten, Berdych, many tough opponents in my section. In the end to come through without losing a set is very nice. It gives me great belief that I can also do better at the French. But at the end I came here to win the tournament, no matter what. So I’m very happy I achieved that.
Q: As so often, you served the big points well.
A: Yes, big points are always important, especially in a final like this. For this reason I call the second set the key moment for sure. I was always down in the second and in the third set, so it was tough. It was tough to break him, he is very confident. He has a fantastic backhand, which makes it hard to go into too many duels into that backhand side. But the game plan I had today was good.
Q: You came to the net a lot, certainly in the first part of the match, and you played a lot of short angles. Was that your intention, to bring him out of his comfort area?
A: Well, I didn’t feel like I did much wrong in Monte Carlo. The conditions were a little different, a little quicker. Today I definitely played more angles and used my kick serve more, maybe that is a thing I have to do more on clay, I don’t know. A match like this always helps you to look ahead. After a match like today I feel I have more options on clay. I used the drop shot more than I used to.
Q: He was taking up some quite exaggerated positions to return your serve. Is that disconcerting?
A: I saw what he did to my serve in Monte Carlo, so of course I was worried that the same thing will happen again. But I had the feeling today that it was much tougher for him to attack my serve. He was winning an unbelievable percentage on my second serve in Monte Carlo, which really surprised me, because normally I also win a lot of points on my second serve. But he took it like it was nothing. Today I think I made him think a little bit more. I see when he is moving, but I think today I got my serving right, because he didn’t break me.
Q: Do your feet still trouble you?
A: It was today the same thing that happened to me in Miami, today I also took the tape off because the tape started moving and I didn’t want it moving in the wrong place. It looked worse than it actually is. I just wanted to take it off and not take any risk.
Q: The sequence goes on with Championship wins. How difficult is it to keep it going?
A: You mean the final streak? I didn’t actually think about it too much until yesterday, when he said in the presentation, now you have 18 finals in a row. Then it reminded me. Now it’s 19. Of course I go into finals feeling well, feeling comfortable. Somehow you always know the streaks will end. You always hope it’s not gonna be today.
Q: In three weeks time it will be 20.
A: I don’t know, that is still many matches away. I have a good feeling, but good feelings don’t matter much once it starts to be over five sets for two weeks. I cannot think about aiming for the title. The last few years have been too disappointing for me at the French, so I really have to focus on the early rounds. I think once I get on the way, this is when I really start to be really dangerous at Roland Garros.
Q: Looking back on the matches this week, was the Coria match the one you took the most satisfaction from?
A: This week? Well, Berdych was nice, to get him back. I think especially also today. I mean, Coria was good, but I had the feeling today I was almost more … You see, Coria, without wanting to take anything away from what I did, but he played five sets in Rome, and he was tired, so that was maybe one of the reasons why he changed up his game. I think today was a tough match for me, just looking ahead mentally. It was a hard break, that loss in Monte Carlo against him. He gave me a sniff, and I still ended up losing, that was disappointing. I haven’t lost to too many guys lately. You always want to beat the guys who beat you back. I’m happy I got the chance after already a few weeks to get him back.
(from here the interview in German, feel free to correct my interpretation if you find some mistakes. )
Q: Do you find something fault with your achievement from this week and in view of Roland Garros?
A: No, it is hard to find something that didn't go well. I didn't lose a set during the tournament. This tells how good I played. That's why I can be really satisfied very much with how the week went. I didn't play in Rome and 3 weeks without tournaments,, These can't be underestimated.
Q: Today, we have the impression that your win didn't look elegant, but it was more from hard work. Is this right?
A: Yes, I find it that there were good rallies and good points. But I had to stay concentrated, especially in the 2nd and 3rd set, in which I was always behind, because he served first. It was hard to break him. That is why I concentrated very much during the whole match today. Maybe for this reason, I couldn't play fully freely. But it was for sure the same for my opponent. I knew the danger, he beat me 3, 4 weeks ago. That's why I didn't want that it happens again.
Q: You had a very good feeling and huge self confindence before Paris last year, but these didn't bring good result. Are you planning something different this year??
A: I believe the last couple years were overall good in the preparation for Paris. I won the tournament in Hamburg, and when it didn't go well here, I reached final in Rome. I won also in Munich. The preparation for French actually went always good, I won't change much this year, except that Tony Roche is here. This could cause that I know exactly how I must play, if it is necessary. Maybe I might bet a couple of more ideas of playing on clay from him. I will be definitely arriving earlier there. Tomorrow I will be at Laureus Award in Estoril, I will be flying already today, where I am nominated for Sportsman of the year, it will be surely interesting. Then right away to Paris after that.
Q: What is special to be successful as a defending champion?
A: That is always a special "enough doing", because you come into the tournament with pressure. You know there are many points to lose. Especially at bigger tournaments, like at Grand Slams, where you have many things to lose. For this reason, I am really happy that I could again achieve it here. The tournament here is for me very important.
Q: You said that the tournament here is for you very important, because you won here 3 times, or is there other reasons?
A: This is for sure a reason, because I won here, but the I also like the city very much, and the people are friendly and polite here. I always had the feeling that I am here welcome.
Q: Is Mr. Knapper also important?
A: Yes, our relationship is really close, and he is always happy when I come here and of course if I win here. I don't know if he wants that I win or the Germans win (laugh). But, it is of course special to win here. This tournament is also very important because of him. He is happy already for months, if I come here. For this reason, it would have been pity, if I had missed this tournament here.
Q: Is one prepared for the speech for the final or it just comes??
A: No, that was fully spontaneous. It came to my mind, when I see Boris, I feel always terriblly happy, I can still remember the time when I admired him. Now I believe he raves a little about my tennis, this is very interesting.
Q: How is the collabration with Tony Roche going to be? Are you two getting together week after week??
A: Well, I have to be of course organized well. I consider in which tournament I first play, then when I have time for training, and the best is that I have Tony there. Then I have to see if it is OK for him and if there is no time conflict. But, he is very flexible. I thought here that it would be good, if he sees me play in Hamburg. Then he sees me play on clay.
Q: how does he think of your play on clay?
A: He is satisfied, of course. He has his thoughts, and if he sees small things that I can improve, then he says that, but it is clear that I can't change my play by next day, so it is a long process. But I can also do things very well, which he says, in games.
Q: If you had only one wish that is allowed to come true and you could choose a title win, would that be this year's French Open??
A: I have no clue. Yes, yes, why not. Let's take French Open this year and next year Wimbledon.
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Post by RogiFan on May 19, 2005 10:39:57 GMT -5
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Post by RogiFan on May 24, 2005 20:23:31 GMT -5
ROLAND GARROS05 Rogi d Dudi Sela 61 64 60 ALLEZ, ROGI vs. Almagro!
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Post by RogiFan on May 24, 2005 20:25:43 GMT -5
THE MODERATOR: Questions in English for Roger. Q. Well, did you have a good solid scouting report on your opponent today? ROGER FEDERER: Half an hour before the match. I warmed up with him on the same court. That's what I got. That's it. Q. So warmed up with your opponent? ROGER FEDERER: I didn't. On the same court. I warmed up with my friend and he warmed up with his friend. Q. What did you notice? ROGER FEDERER: Well, I heard he was a rather small guy, you know. Not the big type. Then in practice you just get to see he's a righty, he's got a backhand with one hand. I think Tony looked more at him than I. I had to look at the ball and stay focused. Q. How pleased are you with your performance? ROGER FEDERER: It was all right. Just happy to be through, really, kind of match. There's good moments, but also, you know, bad moments. You can never be unhappy winning in straight sets, so it's good. Good start. Q. Anything different about the court from when you practiced on it last week? ROGER FEDERER: Well, we had to play through sunshine, rain, wind and everything. So there was a little bit of everything here. Made it tough. You know, balls were quick. Then, you know, new balls ‑‑ The balls we're very slow after the rain, and new balls come, so you have to always adjust. He was starting inside the baseline, then he was moving very far back. He was doing a lot of different things, you know. That kind of made it maybe difficult in the beginning to try to get the rhythm. All in all, it was all right. Q. Give us the bad moments. ROGER FEDERER: Well, I just wasn't happy on a few of my forehands. I think I could have also served better. But that got better throughout the match, so... Q. When you're trailing down a service break in the second set, do you ever whim‑whams, bad moments, saying, "I've lost here in the first round before, what's going on?" Are you beyond that sort of thing? ROGER FEDERER: No, because I won the first set 6‑1, you feel good. Once I win usually a set 6‑1, I'm not going to lose a match. But it's true, you know, when I'm down a break in the second, he's looking like he's going to next game as well, it makes you wonder sometimes. But I reacted just in time to not let that influence me too much. Q. In Hamburg you didn't drop your serve at all. To drop it twice in a set is almost unheard of. ROGER FEDERER: That's a good problem to have, I'm telling you. Q. He was a bit of a surprise package. ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, you know, some games he was swinging very freely I had the feeling today. Of course, sometimes he gets a good game. But still feels like maybe sometimes it shouldn't happen. But, I mean, his service game, his own, in that set, when it rained and everything, he was playing also very unconsistent. One game was good; one game was bad. So it really shows he's still quite young. But he's got potential. You see that too. He can hit the ball hard, he can also stay back. But he's rather small, so he's got to ‑‑ has to be strong, his fitness, throughout his whole career. Q. Same with Henman. He's playing a player that none of us have really heard of. Is it almost tougher to play someone you don't know, you've never seen, you don't have a feel for anything about their game at all? ROGER FEDERER: Who is he playing? Q. Some unpronounceable Polish, Argentinian chap. ROGER FEDERER: He's got the same thing going on. Same problem, I mean. I think he's probably happy to see that Starace is not playing because that would be tougher because of his run last year here. It's true, it kind of makes it tough times. But usually, you know, let's say when I lost to Berdych or I lost to Nadal or Gasquet, I knew they were really good, they could take the step within the next ‑‑ this week. I'm playing them right now. Then you're rather worried. But today I haven't heard anything from him. So I think you can at least relax a little bit because he's not supposed to break through in this tournament. That kind of gives you confidence, that if you play tough, you know, you should come through. It's going to be the same for Tim. Q. You're a continental European. In some ways, would this be the Grand Slam you're most comfortable at? ROGER FEDERER: Close from home? Q. Yes. Are there things about being here that are more familiar, more familiar, than being in New York, London or Melbourne? ROGER FEDERER: No, I feel everywhere the same. Because of the language, I speak them all, the three languages of the Grand Slams. You know, you staying in the city, so the city is big. That's obviously a little bit different to Switzerland. Because I travel so much, I get used to it. It's always nice when I come to these big cities because there's so much to do. Then again, you know, you're kind of happy when you leave, and you're happy when you come back. I feel the same way at almost every Grand Slam, except, you know, Wimbledon is in this tiny village, I would call it, because I never go to the city. Melbourne is kind of a regular‑size town, you know. It's just New York and here which are really, really big. I guess it's good to come here early, you know, kind of get used to the whole thing going on. www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/n...6864232629.html
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Post by RogiFan on May 27, 2005 15:49:21 GMT -5
Yay, Rogi d Almagro 63 76(0) 62 in R2 and Gonzalez 76(11-9) 75 62 in R3 today! Phew, into the 2nd week! Next up, Moya, who beat his pal Vicente in 5 long sets [w shoulder pain].
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Post by RogiFan on May 27, 2005 15:49:59 GMT -5
Roger's post-match interview www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/interviews/2005-05-27/200505271117202273097.html Q. Did you like this test today? It was hot and it was two tough first sets against a really good opponent. Did you like this test for future matches to come here? ROGER FEDERER: I don't need no more tests, you know. I don't know what tests you want me to do. One five‑setter, one quick one, one quick set, one long set, you know. One tiebreak. It's not going to make any difference as long as you win, you know. Today was dangerous; I knew that. It was all about handling his pace, you know, and his forehand. So I got close, you know, being a way tougher match. I'm happy to be through ‑ in three sets especially. Q. You seem more comfortable on clay than in previous years. Are you doing things differently? ROGER FEDERER: No. I think Guga was stronger than Gonzalez. That was the difference. But I definitely improve every year. And with the experience as well, you know, you know better where you're good at, where maybe you're not as good at, how you get around maybe your weaknesses and the way, you know, maybe you move also. You always got more time to improve. Those things definitely make a difference. I'm not the only one improving, you know. Everyone always is moving. Q. Almost at the end of the first‑set tiebreak you had a couple of really bad miss‑hits. Was that funny bounces? Do you remember those? ROGER FEDERER: Well, sort of. I know I always shank a little bit, you know. I was struggling with his spins, to be honest, with his forehand. Unbelievable zip on the ball. So it was tough for me to really get the rhythm going, and that was all the way through the set, you know. He always kept me guessing on his forehand. So sometimes when I was on it, you know, just didn't have the timing yet. Q. How do you get used to the fact that he can hit these unbelievable shots out of nowhere, and then of course he can miss some, too. ROGER FEDERER: Well, you gotta find his backhand, huh? But he sets it up well with his serve, you know. He's moving well, so he always gets around his backhand most of the time. I don't have that double‑handed backhand, you know, where I can always find his backhand. And if you do find, you know, just he's off of it. It's a dangerous match. Like I said, you have to weather the storm against this guy. Once you're through it, you know, it gets easier. That's how it was in the third set. Q. The other day you were talking about instant replay when the press conference ended. I'd like to follow up by asking, what are your thoughts on the argument that instant replay gives tennis a human element and that somehow it's another thing that the fans can become involved with, adds in some way to the drama? ROGER FEDERER: I don't know which human element ‑‑ it's an electronic, isn't it? Q. The current system with the linespeople out there as opposed to machines. ROGER FEDERER: No, that's why I'm saying we shouldn't change anything, keep the people out there and make the calls, you know. You can argue with them a little bit. I like this idea. So I just don't see reasons to change that. Hope that answers your question (smiling). Q. Just on a different topic, I don't know if you were asked about this in Australia, Scott Draper is sort of struggling two careers, golf and tennis. I don't know if you golf, but what are your thoughts on sort of trying to juggle those two very different sports? They both involve a ball but they're quite different. ROGER FEDERER: Well, I admire that, absolutely. Because not only is he doing it, he's playing both at the professional level. That's kind of quite unbelievable. I don't play golf, you know, myself, but I could imagine especially how many hours you have to spend on a golf course, you know, to improve. If you don't go there, you'll drastically be a worse player. I admire that very much. But I think it must be very nice for him, you know. If he's not in the mood to play tennis, he can go play golf. The other way around, too. He's having a good life, I guess. Q. You are using more and more your backhand slice, slice backhand. Do you feel that is a weapon now on your game? ROGER FEDERER: Well, today I had to (smiling). Q. Not today. But usually you are hitting a lot of... ROGER FEDERER: Slice more. Q. Today I understand because the guy was hitting very hard. ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, that was today. But I've always mixed it up, so I don't feel a big difference of me playing more slice, you know. It's maybe become more efficient, but I've always been slicing on the returns, you know, and also in the game to mix it up. So I don't feel that I've done anything very different. Q. You feel you are the best player in history? ROGER FEDERER: No (laughing). I'm too young. Q. Because I feel that. ROGER FEDERER: I'm too young, I'm too young. Q. You're on the way to be, no? ROGER FEDERER: Well, if I keep on playing like last year, yeah. But not every year will be this way; I know that. Q. Is Gonzalez' spin more difficult than Nadal, but Nadal is a little more consistent? ROGER FEDERER: No. It's ‑‑ Q. You said you had trouble with Gonzales' spin. ROGER FEDERER: Well, it's totally different. I cannot compare. One is coming from a left‑hand, the other from a right hand. I guess you find Nadal's backhand easier, you know, than Gonzalez's. But that's just the way. It's impossible to compare those players. Q. Which is more difficult to handle or you can't compare? ROGER FEDERER: Haven't played Nadal enough yet, you know. But I've seen five sets' long, but didn't have the feeling he was going for too much. He goes for placement on his forehand. Q. How do you feel at the end of the first week? How confident, how good do you feel here in Roland Garros on clay? ROGER FEDERER: Good. I think it's a job well done so far. I haven't lost a set. Through to the fourth round. That's obviously what you hope for when you start the tournament. Now I'm where I want to be, you know ‑ fit, through to the second week basically. But, you know, the opponents are not getting any easier, so I'm looking forward to the next match. THE MODERATOR: French questions, please. Q. Roger, did the heat pose a problem for you? Can you adapt quickly to the heat, or is it a problem for you? ROGER FEDERER: Well, you've got to adapt. I mean, it's much warmer in Australia or in America. Once in a while it goes over 30 degrees in Europe, but that doesn't mean you can't play anymore. It's not a problem for me. It wasn't a problem today. I think maybe it was a bit difficult for him, but that could be surprising. Q. In terms of your last match in Monte‑Carlo, did you try to apply a different tactic? It seems you were in better control of the match today than in Monte‑Carlo. Is that just an impression? ROGER FEDERER: No, I think it's pretty similar between today and Monte‑Carlo. I was always in control. I could have won in two sets. I served for the match, and he broke my serve and we went to the third set. But even in the third set, I got the feeling that I was better. Today, the only moment was in the first set when I felt that I was having slight difficulties. But he couldn't always move around to get on to his forehand. So as I was saying a moment ago in English, you try to stay in the match. In the third set, he was tired. He wasn't moving as well as the beginning of the match, and it was an entirely different match. Q. For some months you've been working with Tony Roche. You said that you started working on a more aggressive game. What are you working on with Tony Roche, today on clay in particular? ROGER FEDERER: Well, he joined me a few days before Hamburg and I've been playing matches, obviously. After Hamburg, we came here. I played a lot of points with a number of players to get used to the balls, to get used to the central court and so on. So what we've been doing is mostly talking rather than training, as we did in Australia. Because for that, you need to take some time off, to work two, four, five hours during the day on some details of the game. So we've been talking. Q. What have you been talking about? ROGER FEDERER: Well, about the game on clay, his vision of my game on clay, my vision. I don't think I'm playing any different than last year. Even last year I was playing quite well. Q. Could you tell us more about the importance of your serve on clay. This is a weapon that is sometimes underestimated. ROGER FEDERER: Well, it's true that it's not the fastest serve on tour, but it's an important weapon for me and I've got a good second serve and I can count on that, which is why I can take risks on my first serve. We've seen Gonzalez. If you serve well, it's more difficult to break, particularly when the weather is dry and the balls are fast. So if you take a risk on your serve and you've served well, you take the advantage, which is why you need to be concentrated at the beginning of the point. Q. Next round: Moya. What's the key to the match? ROGER FEDERER: It will be interesting. He's a great champion. I appreciate him very much. I don't think he'll be in much fitness trouble, even after his five sets today. He has too much experience with that type of match. I was surprised that he went to five sets. He had some difficulty in his recent matches. This might show that he isn't feeling as fit as the previous years. But that doesn't mean anything. He's won this tournament before; he knows how to do it. Obviously, it's going to be tough. Q. To feel that you're truly in control of your game on clay, what is missing, to feel that you're as in control as on other surfaces? ROGER FEDERER: Well, I never said I didn't feel at ease on clay. Q. Yeah, but as at ease as other surfaces? ROGER FEDERER: Well, I haven't lost a set yet. What's the problem? There is a possibility for me here. I don't see why I should be at all worried by anything. I've played less on clay than Coria or Nadal, but that doesn't mean anything. Q. Who's the player you fear the most here? ROGER FEDERER: No one. I'm No. 1. I've beaten everyone. Why should I fear anyone? I respect everyone, that's for sure.
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Post by RogiFan on May 29, 2005 14:43:33 GMT -5
Federer sees off Moya with ease Roger Federer breezed past former champion Carlos Moya on Sunday to reach the quarter-finals of the French Open for only the second time. The world number one was rarely troubled by the Spaniard, who went into the match with a shoulder injury that took the edge off his serve. Federer broke at the first opportunity in each set and produced some sublime shots in a comfortable 6-1 6-4 6-3 win. He goes on to face the unseeded Victor Hanescu of Romania in the last eight. Federer admitted it was his intention to exploit Moya's weakness. "He wasn't 100% - I knew how much pain he was in and that he couldn't serve so I had to make sure I got to him mentally." Federer was knocked out in the third round in 2004 by an inspired Gustavo Kuerten and endured first-round defeats in 2002 and 2003. He added: "It's a relief to be in the second week because I have had a few tough years in Paris. "Now I want more. I feel as if I haven't used my reserve tank yet and that I have a lot of energy left." Story from BBC SPORT: news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/tennis/4591857.stmPublished: 2005/05/29 15:42:28 GMT © BBC MMV fr.sports.yahoo.com/ph/tennis_p.html?b=37Roger Federer InterviewSunday, May 29, 2005 Q. One set and a half of tennis of extraordinary quality, that's what we saw. Did you feel the same way. ROGER FEDERER: Yes, but not all that fantastic because he's injured. And with the problem in the shoulder, he has let me play on my service. I think he is very disappointed to have to play like this. But it went fine. There were good moments and bad moments. Obviously, and, you know, the rhythm isn't there. I felt that he had no faith in his own tennis. So I have very little to say. I'm glad that I managed to save some energy, and I was even surprised that he finished the match, which proves that he's a real champion. He could have stopped before. Q. What about the future? Do you see this match as a sort of match between brackets? ROGER FEDERER: Yes. It's one more round and nothing else. Nothing much to say. Nothing much to think. I think my training from yesterday and my training for tomorrow is going to be more important, and what really will matter in the end is the fact that I saved energy. Q. Now Hanescu. What do you think? ROGER FEDERER: I played him once in Davis Cup. It was a difficult match. I was just back from Australia. I was very tired. I had a few possibilities during the first set but let them go, and then I got more into the match during the second set. Here, we're playing on clay so it gives me confidence. But he was very good, so he can play even better than that. Q. You had in mind that it could be Nalbandian, no? ROGER FEDERER: No, no. I saw the match. Q. Before that. ROGER FEDERER: Well, I was not even thinking about that match. I was thinking about my match against Moya. You never know how Moya is going to be. You never know, because he can wake up one morning with a shoulder problem or not. I noticed straightaway that he had a problem. I knew that, but I still had to remain very focused. So I was thinking about my own match. Then I watched Nalbandian and Hanescu. I thought he could win. But then he let go many opportunities at the beginning, and then he went 6‑2, and then won the fourth and the fifth. Q. Did you speak with Carlos about his shoulder? ROGER FEDERER: Yes, I just said that I hope this pain will go away and that he can play again without any pains. All of the players know what it is to play with a pain in the shoulder like that. It is not fun. He had ice on it already, so that was a good decision, I think. Q. I don't know whether you discussed already here the match against Hanescu. What do you remember of the match in Bucharest? You were just coming back from Australia. ROGER FEDERER: Yes, I was just arriving from Australia. I got back on Wednesday in the evening, I was hitting Thursday and Friday. Then, as I said, it was a very tight first set and then I got more into the match and I finished well. But I think that he has improved since, and he managed to beat Nalbandian in the last two sets so easily. I know that he's an extremely good clay‑courter. It shows this week, and it probably will show next week maybe. Q. This was clay indoors. Here, this is not indoors. Does that make a difference? ROGER FEDERER: Yes, because of the wind, among other things. But apart from that, I don't know. It's always different feelings. At the time, I had just No. 1, so it was a good thing for him, but it was difficult for him as well. Now, next time we face each other, it's a totally different situation. I think he has had the experience on the central court, so it's going to help him tomorrow because he's not on any of the minor courts. THE MODERATOR: Questions in English, please. Q. Very convincing performance. Is there anything in your game you're not satisfied with at the moment? ROGER FEDERER: Well, I thought, you know, Carlos couldn't play 100%. It was very obvious to me. So for me it's very hard to kind of say how well I played, you know. It's not possible just because I knew in how much sort of pain he was and that he was far off from 100%. So for me it was all about kind of being focused, try not to make many errors and try to use the advantage that he couldn't serve, you know, to break him and kind of get to him ‑‑ make it get to him mentally, you know. Obviously, it did, through to the second set. Once I won the second, it was quite obvious I'm gonna win this. So, yes, it was tough to stay concentrated out there for the whole time because of the circumstances. Q. Into the second week. It's a different challenge now, isn't it? ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, it is. I'm very relieved in a way, as well, but happy to have come so far again after a few years of tough times here in Paris. So at least now, you know, can walk away. I've won four matches, which is good. But of course once you get to the quarters, you want more, especially because I haven't been using kind of my reserve tank yet. I still have a lot of energy left. I'm looking forward to hopefully another few more matches. www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/interviews/2005-05-29/200505291117385708165.html
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Post by RogiFan on May 31, 2005 21:51:16 GMT -5
Rogi d Hanescu 62 76(3) 63 in QF at RG05 Federer and Nadal set up showdown Stephen Bierley in Paris Wednesday June 1, 2005 The Guardian And so, on the ninth day, the semi-final that everybody wanted to see became a reality. Roger Federer, the world No1, beat Romania's Victor Hanescu 6-2, 7-6, 6-3, and Rafael Nadal, the second most successful player on the men's circuit this year, defeated fellow Spaniard David Ferrer 7-5, 6-2, 6-0. The only shame is that their match on Friday will not be the final. Federer said: "I know everybody is looking forward to it, and for both of us it is the first time we have been in the semi-finals of the French Open. For me it's a big moment. It's one of those chances to walk away with the title here. It will be interesting." Climactic, perhaps, is the word that would spring to most minds. It will be their second meeting this year and the third in all. The first was last year at the Nasdaq-100 Open in Key Biscayne, Florida, where Nadal, then only 17, won 6-3, 6-3 in the third round. It was not a score that counted for too much, since Federer was feeling the effects of his Australian Open victory and his tournament win in Indian Wells. He was tired and a little ill. In April this year, at the same tournament in Key Biscayne, they met for a second time, on this occasion in the final, with the Spanish teenager two points from victory in the third-set tie-break before the Swiss battled back to win 2-6, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-1. "In the beginning I didn't play very well that day, and I think I learned how to play him," said Federer yesterday after his routine quarter-final against Hanescu. What surprised the Swiss on that occasion was the way Nadal faded physically. "On clay the rallies can be even tougher and I think you're going to see a lot of hard hitting." Yesterday's victory over Ferrer was Nadal's 22nd consecutive win on clay, a run that has encompassed the Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Italian Open titles. "Roger will be the favourite, but I think I can win if I play my best tennis, and he doesn't play his best," said Nadal. Obviously it is a hugely important match for both of them. For Federer, victory would put him on the verge of becoming only the sixth player to have won all four grand slam titles. For Nadal, playing in his first French Open, a win would open the door for an opening grand slam title. "I don't want to think about it too much because I don't want to put too much pressure on myself, but obviously it will be a wonderful match to play in," said Nadal, who against Ferrer displayed moments of high-octane brilliance, even though the latter was struggling with a bad back. Before this year Federer had won only nine matches at Roland Garros in six years, losing in the first round in two of the last three years, having reached the last eight in 2001 when he lost to Spain's Alex Corretja. After winning the first set easily against Hanescu, the world No90, Federer underlined his determination by fighting back from a break down in the second to force a tie-break, which he took 7-3. Only at 5-1 in the third did the world No1 betray any nerves. He failed to covert two match points and lost his serve after committing three double-faults. When he served for the semi-final a second time the Romanian staved off one more match point before hitting a forehand long after just over two hours of play. Federer knows the pressure he will face on Friday, and his perceptions have changed over the past 12 months. "It's pure experience. The big matches, the big occasions I've faced. It's about believing in my game, not only my clay-court game, my game in total." And so the wait begins, the anticipation immense. As Federer says: "We'll play the game like there's no tomorrow." sport.guardian.co.uk/tennis/story/0,10069,1496355,00.html Time to be nervous... ALLEZ, ROGI!!! Altho I love Rafa, he's still young and has time to win RG -- it's crucial for Rogi to win the SF, make the F and win it THIS YEAR -- complete his slam, get the monkey off his back, shut up the critics and go into Wimby a little more relaxed.
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