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Federer wins 10th Basel title

Roger Federer won his 10th Swiss Indoors Basel title, defeating Alex De Minaur 6-2, 6-2 to secure what the Swiss legend described as "an unbelievable" success at the home-town tournament.

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Federer to play 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Roger Federer will go for gold in 2020. The Swiss star confirmed that he will compete for Switzerland at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

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Federer wins 10th Halle title

Roger Federer made history in Halle, defeating David Goffin 7-6 (2), 6-1 to win a record 10th Noventi Open title. It is the first time that Federer has earned 10 crowns at one tournament.

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Federer wins fourth Miami Open title

Roger Federer produced a championship masterclass under the Florida sun, dominating reigning champ John Isner 6-1, 6-4 to win his fourth Miami title.

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Federer makes history in Dubai, wins 100th title

Roger Federer made history at the Dubai Duty Free Championships, defeating reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champion Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-4 to win his 100th tour-level title.

Final Review: What the papers are saying

Roger Federer beat his greatest rival, Rafael Nadal, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 for the 66th title of his illustrious career at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals on Sunday. ATPWorldTour.com reviews Monday’s newspapers in England and Spain, after another successful staging of the prestigious season finale in London.

The Sun’s writer, Steve Brenner, set the tone for another chapter in Federer and Nadal’s legendary rivalry, writing, “This showdown of two sporting giants took a while to get going. Maybe an audience including the likes of Diego Maradona, Thierry Henry, Kevin Spacey, Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood and Princess Beatrice caused a few nerves.”

Ian Chadband, the chief sports correspondent of The Daily Telegraph, writes, “The greatest rivalries in sporting history have thrived on the highs and lows, the to’s and the fro’s, but they fade away when inevitability strikes.

“The theory is that if ‘hate sells’, Rafa v Roger just does not possess the ingredients of the tastiest sporting feuds. They’re just too damn nice, killing each other with politeness.”

In its headline, “El Clasico Goes The Way Of Sir Federer”, Marca likens the Federer-Nadal rivalry to another massive sporting contest, that of Barcelona vs. Real Madrid in La Liga, which will take place on Monday evening in Spain.

In summarising the match, David Menayo writes, “Roger Federer won his fifth Barclays ATP World Tour Finals title after crushing Rafael Nadal in an intense three-set final. It was a match in which the powerful serve of the Swiss, his potency on break points and a fresher pair of legs were key to helping the Basel native notch his 66th career title.

The Spanish sports newspaper also noted that RTVE reported that an audience of 3,917,000 watched the final on TVE.

The Times tennis correspondent, Neil Harman, writes, “As the dessert course for 2010, it was as satisfying an end to an evening as we could have wanted for Roger Federer, a splendid dinner table companion, who left the party with a million pounds, the salutations and everyone’s thanks for being the man that he is.

“Nadal will never match him for aesthetics but his warrior heart beats as powerfully as ever and Federer knows that one man more than any other will be the one he has to beat if he wants to pen more chapters of Grand Slam glory next year.”

Paul Newman, the chief sports feature writer and tennis correspondent of The Independent, states, “Rafael Nadal will end the year as World No. 1 and holder of three Grand Slam titles, but if the Spaniard needed any reminder that his greatest rival is far from a spent force, it came last night at the [Barclays] ATP World Tour Finals.

“Federer joins Pete Sampras and Ivan Lendl as the only players to have won this title five times. You would not bet against him returning next year to claim the record for himself.”

Mike Dickson, the tennis correspondent of The Daily Mail, believes Federer can add to his Grand Slam championship haul of 16 titles. “As he heads into [the] winter break he can be warmed by the thought that Nadal is not invincible, and that his relative shortfall in the Grand Slams since Melbourne may not be part of a longer-term trend.”

The Guardian’s writer, Kevin Mitchell, states, “Victory, in front of 17,500 fans split roughly down the middle in their allegiances, delivered the most unambiguous messages to [Roger] Federer's peers and doubters: Roger is going nowhere for a little while yet.”

The Daily Mirror goes with "‘Fed’s still the best of the best – Battered Nadal hails genius rival ‘unplayable and unbelievable.'"

Writing for El Pais, Andy Murray’s coach Alex Corretja believes it was Nadal’s marathon semi-final clash with the British No. 1 that cost him the title.

“At the end, Rafa Nadal was completely out of gas. [After the match with Murray] the consequences were clear: he didn’t need a miracle to have the chance to win the final, but he did need time. And that was just what he didn’t have. The semi-final was draining and it had taken its toll. However, all credit to Roger Federer. He played the way he did. There are no excuses. The final is Sunday, not Monday and I am sure Nadal would see it the same way.

“That Rafa reached the final is already a great achievement. I think it is just a matter of time before he wins the title. At least he has left himself something to do for the future!”

Date: 30.11.2010, Source: ATP

Federer defeats rival Nadal to win fifth title at Season Finale

Roger Federer won his fifth title at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals on Sunday when he defeated Rafael Nadal 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in a gripping finale at The O2 in London.

The Swiss also won the coveted year-end championships in 2003 (d. Agassi) and 2004 (d. Hewitt) in Houston and again in 2006 (d. Blake) and 2007 (d. Ferrer) in Shanghai. He was also the runner-up in 2005 and has compiled a staggering 34-7 event record. He is the third player in the tournament’s 41-year history to win the title five times, joining Ivan Lendl and Pete Sampras.

As the undefeated champion of the world’s biggest indoor tennis tournament, Federer received 1,500 South African Airways 2010 ATP Ranking points and the maximum amount of $1,630,000 in prize money.  It is the fourth time that he has been crowned the undefeated champion at the season finale, having dropped only one set this week.

It was the first time for 24 years that the Top 2 players on the ATP World Tour had contested the title match at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. In 1986, No. 1 Ivan Lendl defeated No. 2 Boris Becker. Federer recorded his eighth win in 22 career meetings with Nadal (Nadal leads 14-8); he also defeated the Spaniard at the season finale in the semi-finals in 2006 and 2007. He came into the match having lost six of his past seven matches with the Spaniard.

"I always believed in a plan from start to finish," said Federer. "Like at the first match I came out and played against [David] Ferrer, I think I always stayed true to how I wanted to play. It was the same thing today. Even though I lost the second set, I'm really happy the way I stayed positive throughout the match today. I thought it was clearly a very high level. I don't know if I could have played any better, so I'm really pleased.
"It was interesting the way he played. But I stayed offensive. I knew in the long run that could be vital, which it was at the end, so I'm very happy."

Nadal was full of praise for the Swiss. "He played unbelievable," said the Spaniard. "He was unplayable I think in this first set. I just can congratulate him for his victory and another great tournament for him. He played unbelievable during all the week without losing a set, being in the final. So his level was very high. I tried my best this afternoon, but he was better than me."

Such was the excitement surrounding a Federer-Nadal finale at The O2 that the 17,500 Centre Court crowd featured many celebrities, including footballing legend Diego Maradona, Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones, American actor Kevin Spacey, Mayor of London Boris Johnson and Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice of York.

Federer struck the first blow in the contest, breaking serve with an angled backhand winner crosscourt to lead 5-3 in the first set. After conceding the opener, Nadal fought back strongly, breaking serve in the fourth game of the second set before going on to level the match with a sliced backhand past the net-rushing Federer. The Spaniard was powerless against Federer’s brilliance in the final set, though, and the Swiss broke serve twice to seal victory in one hour and 37 minutes.

The 29-year-old Federer came into the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals on a red-hot run of form that had seen him lose just two matches since squandering two match points in a five-set defeat to Novak Djokovic in the US Open semi-finals. His 21 victories since then is the highest number of wins he has ever recorded post the US Open.

The Basel native won his fifth tour-level title of the year, and the 66th of his career. By winning his 16th Grand Slam singles crown at the Australian Open (d. Murray) in January, Federer opened and closed his season with two of the game’s biggest titles for the fourth time. He also bookended his 2004, 2006 and 2007 seasons with victories at the Australian Open and the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.

Federer’s three other titles this season came at the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters in Cincinnati (d. Fish), the If Stockholm Open (d. Mayer) and the Swiss Indoors Basel (d. Djokovic). He closes 2010 with a 65-13 match record and will finish in the Top 2 of the South African Airways ATP Rankings for a record eighth-straight year.

Date: 29.11.2010, Source: ATP

Roger Federer wins World Tour Finals

Roger defeated Rafael Nadal at the ATP World Tour Finals in London 6-3, 3-6 and 6-1 today, defeating the current number one of the world at the inofficial World Championships! 

Roger has won the prestigious season-ending-event five times now after his last victory in 2007. He certainly proved that he is hot for the 2011 season. "I am already looking forward to the training starting beginning of December. The start of the season won't be easy as I will have to defend my title at the Australian Open, my only Grand Slam title this year. And staying uninjured will also be an important aspect," Roger said.

Roger played his absolute best today, attacking with his forehand and serving well throughout almost the entire match. After the two players split the first two sets, each breaking the other's serve once, Roger had the first opportunity to break in the third set when Nadal sent a forehand wide in the fourth game. Our champ then took advantage of a second serve to race the net and Nadal drove a forehand pass wide to give Roger a 3-1 lead. Roger then held serve and gained two break points in the next game. He needed just one to grab a commanding 5-1 lead after Nadal netted a backhand. He then opened a 40-0 lead in the final game before Nadal won a point, but Roger smacked a forehand past the Spaniard, not sure whether it was in or not at first, celebrating his victory as he saw the linesman's hands were still held together.

Date: 29.11.2010, Source: RF Official

Roger Federer plays Rafael Nadal in the final

Roger defeated Novak Djokovic 6-1, 6-4 in the semi-final in London today. He has reached the final of the ATP World Tour Finals for the sixth time in the nine times he has participated.

Roger won the first set after approximately half an hour due to his outstanding performance. Djokovic began the second set in determined fashion and broke Roger for the first time to take a 2-0 lead. But the joy from an increased margin of 3-0 lasted only two games for Djokovic when Roger began to battle back and leveled the match at 3-3. Roger won the match pulling away with an service winner out of reach for Djokovic.

"It's been a great tournament so far, clearly, having not lost a set and beaten so many good players, close rivals. Today was another great match," said Federer. "Obviously I'm really looking forward to playing against Rafa tomorrow. Who wouldn't? I'm no different.

"I'm really looking forward to playing him for the first time in the finals of a [Barclays ATP] World Tour Finals. I think I played him twice in the semis before, so it should be entertaining and exciting for both of us."

It seems like it's working this week," said Roger after the match. "I played well against a player who's had a great season. I played a great match so I'm very happy. I hope I can keep this up for a long, long time."

Therefore, the dream final is perfect: Roger will face Rafael Nadal on Sunday.

Date: 28.11.2010, Source: RF Official and ATP

Roger Federer London 2010 thursday interview



Roger Federer reflects on his perfect round robin record after defeating Robin Soderling on Thrusday at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.

Date: 26.11.2010, Source: YouTube

Roger Federer booked semifinal spot

Roger once again displayed great tennis today, defeating Robin Söderling 7-6(5), 6-3 and is the first player to book his spot in the semi-finals of the ATP World Tour Finals in London.

Söderling tried to dominate Roger with his serve today but the sheer class of our champ showed through. The first set was pretty close with Roger taking it 7-6(5) and it is at this point that he looked like he had put his foot down on the gas. The second set saw Roger get into his stride and play some of those lovely ground strokes that we love. He broke in the eighth game with a couple of classy points and completed his 15th victory in 16 encounters with Soderling in 88 minutes. Roger's variation of play and his serve were outstanding.

“I’m happy I was able to come out today and play a good, tough, solid match against a player who I thought was in good shape,” said Federer, who can match Ivan Lendl and Pete Sampras by winning the season-ender for the fifth time.

“I purposely didn’t want to know the calculations before today’s match. Losing is never a solution to trying to win a tournament. That’s why I’m happy that all three matches, straight sets, no wasted energy. I’m playing really well.

“But the tournament’s not over yet. This is really when it starts for me,” added Federer.

He will now play the player coming second in group A on Saturday.

Date: 25.11.2010, Source: RF Official and Reuters

Maradona mets Roger Federer

Queen Elizabeth and British Prime Minister David Cameron were among those granted an audience with Roger Federer this year. On Tuesday, the Swiss was on cloud nine when he got a chance to shake the “Hand of God”.

Argentine soccer great Maradona, who infamously punched in the first goal against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals and then said it had been scored by the “Hand of God”, has become a regular fixture courtside at the ATP World Tour Finals this week.

Maradona, arguably he greatest players to kick a ball, nodded his approval throughout Federer’s 6-4 6-2 demolition of Andy Murray and afterwards the Swiss 16-times grand slam champion said he did not know who was more star-struck when the two sporting icons met face-to-face.

“Yeah, I did meet up. Everything went okay. Really relieved that everything was okay,” a smiling Federer, who met the Queen during this year’s Wimbledon championships, told reporters after chalking up his second successive Group B win.

“I’m a big soccer fan. It’s been a pleasure to meet him. I heard he’s a big tennis fan, a big fan of mine.

“I think he was almost more excited to meet me than I was to meet him, and I was very excited. It was a big pleasure.”

Date: 23.11.2010, Source: Reuters

Roger easily defeats Murray

Roger once again proved he has Andy Murray's number when it comes to the big matches with a crushing 6-4 6-2 victory over the Scotsman at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals today.

Bidding for a record-equalling fifth title at the year-ending showpiece, Roger cruised to victory this afternoon in a packed O2 Arena with a minimum of fuss. Murray already had to save break points in the opening game but made it though. Roger kept digging and already broke to love on the Scot's second service game. Roger held the important lead and finally closed the first set after 36 minutes. The second set was even more a display of Roger's great form as he raced to a 4-0 lead. After some more spectacular points Roger enjoyed a deserved standing ovation from the London crowd.

Should Ferrer win at least one set against Söderling this evening, Roger has already booked his spot in the semi-finals.

Date: 23.11.2010, Source: RF Official

Roger Federer wins fans favourite award

Roger is admired for his work on and off the court and continues to be a fan favourite by millions of fans around the world, who have voted him as ATPWorldTour.com Fans’ Favourite for a record eighth consecutive year. Our champ received 47 per cent of all votes, followed by Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

Thank you all for your votes!

Date: 22.11.2010, Source: RF Official

Roger Federer defeats David Ferrer

Roger got off to a great start at the ATP World Tour Finals in London, defeating David Ferrer 6-1, 6-4 in his first match at the season-ending event.

"I'm really happy the way I was able to get out of the first match here," Roger said. "Looking at the scoreline, it doesn't reflect how tough it was. Usually 6-1, 6-4 kind of matches take an hour of play. Here, it took one hour 25 minutes I think."

Roger wasted no time and opened up a 4-0 lead in the first set. But it did not take long for Ferrer to fight back and score a break himself. But Roger simply increased the level of play and broke again in a marathon sixth game, which included six deuces, before serving out the set. The second set was another tough run, with Roger managing to break away with a 3-2 lead. Ferrer earned himself several break points until the end of the set - three alone upon Roger's final serve at 5-4 - but was not able to convert any of them as Roger kept his poise and finally clinched the win with an ace.

Roger will now face Britain’s Andy Murray at the round-robin tournament on Tuesday. Murray defeated Robin Söderling 6-2, 6-4 on Sunday.

Date: 22.11.2010, Source: RF Official

Roger Federer: London 2010 Preview Interview



Roger Federer chases a fifth season finale title in London.

Date: 21.11.2010, Source: YouTube

Signed Self-Portrait & Racquet

In celebration of Roger's qualification for the 2010 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, the ATP has released his one-of-a-kind self-portrait and racquet for auction! Created using paint covered tennis balls, the piece marks Roger's participation in this year’s season-ending event.

The unique 'Art Of Tennis' collection will be exhibited at the O2 from 21-28 November during the week of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.

"It was great fun being invited to create my self portrait and I'm excited to see how the finished piece looks. Raising money for charity is always a great thing so already I would like to thank people who will buy these pictures and it's going to be for a good cause. I'm happy I can help a bit. I am very happy as it is the ninth consecutive year I have qualified for the year-end event. I have played in a lot of different venues during my career and I can say they staged a fantastic event at The O2 last year. I look forward to returning there in November and finishing the season strong." said Roger.

Specific details about the art work
  • Acrylic paint
  • 1220mm (48 in.) x 1400 mm ( 55 in.) x 25 mm (1 in.)
  • 5kg (11 lbs)
  • Comes with signed player racquet used to make painting
Support the Roger Federer Foundation & Save The Children
All money raised through the online auction will be donated to charity, with 50% of funds going towards Save the Children - the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals official charity - and the remaining 50% going towards Roger's charity of choice, the Roger Federer Foundation.
Date: 20.11.2010, Source: RF Official

Roger visits 10 Downing Street

The eight players fighting for the crown of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals met British Prime Minister David Cameron on Thursday. "It's fantastic that the ATP World Tour Finals tournament is back in London for the second year running. It's great for London and great for the country."

Roger, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Robin Soderling, Andy Murray, Tomas Berdych, David Ferrer and Andy Roddick met Cameron at 10 Downing Street for a group photo and then went on to a private reception.

Date: 19.11.2010, Source: RF Official

Lindt Christmas lighting event

Earlier this week, the Lindt & Sprüngli Chocolate Factory was the setting for a spectacular light show. Roger, the Lindt Maîtres Chocolatiers and Ernst Tanner, Chairman and CEO of Lindt & Sprüngli, set the kick-off for the festive light projections by artist Gerry Hofstetter. Around 8000 visitors marvelled at the festive images and enjoyed the magical Christmas village around the chocolate factory.

Shortly after 7 p.m., Ernst Tanner, Chairman and CEO of Lindt & Sprüngli, opened the first Lindt Christmas Lighting Event. He welcomed the crowd and said enthusiastically: "Today, a Christmas fairytale will come true – for everyone who loves Lindt chocolate and enjoys being enchanted by Gerry Hofstetter's fantastic light illuminations". This was the cue for Roger. Acclaimed by the onlookers, he stepped onto the stage in front of the Lindt & Sprüngli Chocolate Factory in Kilchberg. Our champ admitted it was a real honour for him to be there: "I take some of Lindt's fine chocolate with me to every match, and here in Kilchberg is where it is made. Spending a whole evening devoted to chocolate is a wonderful Christmas present."

Light projections to continue until 26 December
The atmospheric light projections can be seen until 26 December. Every morning from about 6 a.m. until 8 a.m. and in the evening from 5 p.m. to approx. 10 p.m. a different image will appear on the facade of the chocolate factory. The Lindt Christmas letterbox next to Santa's house will also remain until Christmas. Five winners will be drawn from all completed wish lists every weekend throughout Advent, and will have their chocolate Christmas wishes granted.
Date: 19.11.2010, Source: RF Official

Roger Federer: Defining Swiss success

Four titles, including a Grand Slam crown, might enough for most players in one season, but Roger Federer isn't really like most players...

Roger Federer agrees with former tennis great Pete Sampras, who once said: “Every year with a Grand Slam title is a great year.” From this point of view, his season already was a huge success after the first major tournament.

Federer started 2010 by winning his 16th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, beating Andy Murray in the final and increasing his lead over former record holder Sampras, who finished his career with 14 of these trophies. “In Melbourne, I played some of the best tennis of my life,” Federer says, looking back.

But after being thrown back by a lung infection in February that kept him from playing in Dubai, Federer went through some tough times. He surrendered his titles at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, losing in the quarter-finals to hard-hitting Swede Robin Soderling on a wet and cool day in Paris and to Tomas Berdych in Wimbledon, thus missing the final of the All England Club Championships for the first time since 2002.

The defeat in Roland Garros ended one of the most astonishing streaks in tennis history. Federer had reached at least the semi-finals in all of his past 23 Grand Slam tournaments. The loss had another consequence: Federer lost the No. 1 spot to Rafael Nadal and missed the chance to surpass Pete Sampras, who holds the record of most weeks at No. 1. His total now stands at 285 weeks, only one week short of the record.

“Rafa fully deserves to be No. 1, since he won the last three major tournaments,” Federer says. “But I know if I am playing well, there is no question that I am able to challenge him and get a chance to return to the top spot.”

In August, Federer managed to conquer the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters in Cincinnati for the fourth time. It was his 17th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title, equalling Andre Agassi and putting him only one win behind leader Rafael Nadal.

But luck was not on Federer’s side at the other three big U.S. tournaments. At each of them he lost after having wasted match points, in Indian Wells against Marcos Baghdatis, in Miami against Berdych and in a spectacular US Open semi-final against Novak Djokovic.

But Federer still finds a lot of positive aspects in his 12th full season on the ATP World Tour. In Paul Annacone, a former pro and long-time-coach of Pete Sampras, he found a new, highly experienced coach to strengthen his team and add new ingredients to his game and tactics. Having spent some years on the tour without a coach, Federer now counts on two of them, Annacone and his Swiss friend Severin Luthi. He also managed to play through the whole summer without being hammered by injuries or back problems.

He again paused for four weeks after the US Open to recharge his batteries in Dubai, his second home, and to stay with his wife, Mirka, and his twin girls, Myla Rose and Charlene Riva. They started to keep him busy by running around in all directions. “I always try to guess where they are going, but every time I am wrong,” he laughs.

When Federer returned to the tour in Shanghai, he felt fresh and eager to play in a way he’d rarely felt before at this stage of the season. In China, he avenged his loss to Djokovic and went on to reach the final, losing to Andy Murray.

Only one week later he conquered his third trophy of the year, winning the If Stockholm Open for the first time. With his 64th title overall, he equalled the career total of Pete Sampras. The following week, he surpassed Sampras’s mark by winning his hometown title at the Swiss Indoors Basel. Only three players have won more tournaments in the Open Era – Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe.

“Compared to my best years, 2010 was not that great,” Federer acknowledges. “It could have been better, but it could have been much worse. All except one player would be happy to get these results.” He was looking forward to the great finale of the year, the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London. “I am very optimistic that I can end the season on a high note.”

The View From Switzerland:

When Roger Federer arrived at the Swiss Indoors in his former hometown Basel for the 11th time in early November, 9,000 fans awaited him and gave him a standing ovation before his first match. Federer is in a class of his own when it comes to popularity in Switzerland.

He was the first living person to appear on a Swiss stamp. In 2003, the Swiss TV-viewing public gave him the most important award of the country, “The Swiss of the Year”, when he only had one Grand Slam title under his belt.

Federer is the most popular and respected person in his home country and has attracted new people from all ages and classes to tennis. Most realise that he is the best and most important ambassador for the country, which he represents with values that count as typically Swiss: reliability, quality, humanity.

Some criticise him for his reluctance to play every Davis Cup tie, but he keeps promising that one day he will do everything to win this trophy for the first time for Switzerland.

Date: 19.11.2010, Source: ATP Deuce

Roger's opponents in London

The ATP World Tour Finals will start this coming Sunday. Roger will face Andy Murray, Robin Söderling and David Ferrer in the group stage (Group B). In Group A, Nadal has been drawn against world number three Novak Djokovic, Tomas Berdych and Andy Roddick. Matches in Nadal’s group will commence on Monday, November 22. Reigning champion Nikolay Davydenko is a notable absentee, just like last year's second finalist, Juan Martin Del Potro.

Roger has defeated Ferrer in all ten matches the two have played so far and has only lost once to Söderling in 15 encounters. In the head-to-head with Murray, on the other hand, Roger trails by 5:8. The first two players of each group will book a spot in the semi-finals, the tournament final will be held on Sunday, November 28.

Date: 16.11.2010, Source: RF Official

Roger missed Paris final

Roger will still have to wait to play his first Paris Masters final. He had to accept a 6-7(7), 7-6(1), 6-7(4) defeat against France's Gaël Monfils in the semi-final in Paris today.

Our champ fought out an enthralling contest with Monfils. The match was as tight as can be, requiring three tie-breaks to settle matters. Both players showed great tennis and made no presents. It was until the end of the second set when, needing to level things to stay in the match, Roger raised his game to snatch the tie-break and take the match into a third set. Roger then raced to a 4-1 lead in the deciding set and looked to be on course for a spot in the final. But his French opponent fought hard, battling his way back into the contest and finally even win the match in the last tie-break. Roger unfortunately could not make use of his 5 match points.

“Tough match. Obviously very much a serving contest,” Federer told reporters.

“This is where I have some regrets: I don’t even remember if he played well or if I played bad. I was feeling good in this tournament until now. Of course this hurts. Maybe on breakpoints I could have played better, maybe on one or two.”

"I feel good physically. In a way it is a relief that I was able to finish the tournament in good physical health. I'm fresh mentally, too. This is the most important thing. I'm going to back to Switzerland quickly and I'm going to prepare for London, because London is the great final of the year. I think I have good chances maybe in London for winning."

Date: 14.11.2010, Source: RF Official, ATP and Reuters

Federer breaks new ground, plays Monfils in SFs

Top seed Roger Federer remains on course to win his third straight ATP World Tour title after he defeated No. 11 seed Jurgen Melzer of Austria 6-1, 7-6(4) in 71 minutes on Friday at the BNP Paribas Masters, an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament in Paris.

Federer hit 18 aces, a career-high in a two-set match, surpassing his previous high of 17 aces in a first round win over France Cyril Saulnier at the 2001 Open 13 in Marseille. The Swiss lost just 12 points in the first set, before Melzer found his range on a quick indoor court.

"I thought I served well the whole match," said Federer. "I think in the second he was able play a bit more solid overall, and I think he served a bit better. Top guys rarely just go through two sets not having a sniff at all. His sniff was in the breaker when he hit two good returns to go 2-1 in a mini-break, really."

By reaching his first semi-final at the Palais Omnisports, Federer improved to a 60-12 match record on the season. In recent weeks he has lifted trophies at the If Stockholm Open (d. F. Mayer) and at the Swiss Indoors Basel (d. Djokovic), which moved him into fourth place (65-28 finals record) in the Open Era title leader list.

Federer takes a 5-0 lead into his semi-final against Gael Monfils.

Date: 13.11.2010, Source: ATP

Federer cruises past Stepanek into Paris QFs

Top seed Roger Federer matched his best performance at the BNP Paribas Masters, reaching the quarter-finals for a fourth time with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Czech Radek Stepanek on Thursday evening in Paris.

Stepanek held level with the World No. 2 through most of the first set, even earning the first two break point chances, before Federer gained control, winning a string of five straight games to establish a set and 3-0 lead. The Swiss closed out the match in one hour and 19 minutes with consecutive love service games.

"He was serving good, he was accurate, he was coming in a lot, which I kind of expected," said Federer. " I just kind of felt it was gonna be a tough match to play. Thank God I already had a couple of really good return games and a good 10, 15 minutes which I was able to make a difference on, and then I could cruise home. I survived a scare early on when I was down break point and he was playing well, so it was a good match from my side."

Federer has now won 15 of his past 16 matches, reaching the final at the Shanghai Rolex Masters (l. to Murray) and claiming back-to-back titles in Stockholm and Basel, and will look to continue his form when he takes on Austrian Jurgen Melzer in the quarter-finals.

This will be the third meeting this season between the two 29 year olds, who had not played each other in tour-level action prior to this year. Federer won their fourth-round matches at Wimbledon and the US Open in straight sets.

While Federer has reached the final at the eight other ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments, he has yet to advance beyond the quarter-finals at the BNP Paribas Masters, falling at this stage in 2002-03 and '08.

Date: 12.11.2010, Source: ATP

Roger breezes through

Roger defeated Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-4 in his opening match in Paris today, setting up a third-round clash against Radek Stepanek.

Roger showed a fresh and strong display today. He scored a break early in either set, giving him the necessary comfortable lead. Roger completely dominated on serve - hitting 7 aces and 90 percent of his first services into the field. Gasquet did not see any break-balls during the entire match.

"It is always dangerous playing against Richard here," Federer said. "I don't think there was much between us except maybe a couple of games where I played really well."

Roger will now play Radek Stepanek in the quarter finals. The two had already met last week in Basel in the quarters, where Roger dominated 6-3, 6-2. Roger leads the head-to-head 9-2.

Date: 11.11.2010, Source: RF Official and ATP

Federer relishes fast conditions; Aims to improve Paris record

Roger Federer, who has reached the BNP Paribas Masters quarter-finals in 2002-03 and 2008, admitted on Tuesday he hopes to do better this year at the final ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament of the season.

“This has been by far my worst [ATP World Tour] Masters 1000 tournament, so I hope I can do well this year,” said Federer, who lifted his 65th tour-level title at his home tournament, the Swiss Indoors Basel, on Sunday.

“I won't have much of a preparation. I'll hit an hour later on today, and that's about everything I'll get before my match tomorrow. [But] I'm happy that I'm feeling so well [and] I'm playing so well.”

Many players have commented this week about the fast court conditions at the Palais Omnisports in Paris-Bercy, but Federer isn’t fussed ahead of his first match against France’s Richard Gasquet.

“I think it's nice that some tournaments have made the courts faster again,” he said. “I'm not saying it should be the trend for all the tournaments, but indoors is supposed to be faster. We only have one indoor [ATP World Tour] Masters 1000, so I think it should be the fastest one.

“I just think it's good for the players, honestly, to experience again a faster court, and a bit of sort of two-shot tennis is fun for a change to do. It's tricky. It's not easy.”

Federer takes a 6-1 lead into his match against Gasquet on Wednesday. The pair has not met since June 2007 at Wimbledon.

“I believe he has the potential to become Top 10, there's no question about that,” admitted Federer. “But tennis has become more mental and physical than before. Maybe that's the reason why it's so difficult to become Top 10 overnight.

“I hope he won't start his way to the Top 10 tomorrow.”

Later this month, from 21-28 November, Federer will attempt to win his fifth title at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London.

Date: 09.11.2010, Source: ATP

Roger Federer won a record fourth title in Basel

Roger Federer won his hometown title at the Swiss Indoors Basel for a record fourth time as he avenged his 2009 final defeat to Novak Djokovic with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 victory over the Serb in Sunday’s final.

"It’s obviously a beautiful moment. It’s always very emotional and just a good feeling; I’m very happy," said Federer. "I’ve had a great history here. I can’t believe I’ve been in the final so many times and I’ve won already four times. I couldn’t be more happy today."

Basel-born Federer captured his 65th career tour-level title, taking him to fourth place on the Open Era Singles Titles List, one ahead of American Pete Sampras. It was the Swiss No. 1’s fourth title of the season, adding to triumphs at the Australian Open (d. Murray), Cincinnati (d. Fish) and Stockholm (d. Mayer) two weeks ago. He is the third player this year to win four tour-level titles, following Rafael Nadal and Sam Querrey.

"I have to back it up [in London] now. I’ve played three straight finals in a row; I’ve won titles back-to-back in Stockholm and Basel," said Federer. "Now I have a couple of days off and a travel day as well to get to Paris and play well there and it’s only then that the focus will really shift to London. I’d like to keep it up and play well in Paris and see how it goes from there.”

Top seed Federer made a fast start to his 18th meeting with Djokovic and broke serve in the third game as he quickly wrapped up a one-set lead. The second-seeded Djokovic was quick to respond, though, breaking Federer’s serve for just the second time this week in the second game of the second set to level the match.
Riding an eight-match winning streak, though, the confident Federer kept his focus in the deciding set and from 1-1 won five successive games to seal victory in just under two hours. Since squandering two match points in a five-set defeat to Djokovic in the US Open semi-finals, Federer has beaten the Belgrade native twice, also in the Shanghai semi-finals, and extended his career-lead in their head-to-head series to 12-6.

"Today obviously was the most dangerous match [of the week], I was playing the best player in the tournament," reflected Federer. "I had a tough final last year, pretty similar to this one this year, but it just went my way in the third set. We always play very athletic against one another, I always think it’s really close, they can go either way, so I’m happy I won the last three of the four. I had match point [against him] at the US Open and that one hurt, but look, this one makes up for it big time."

The 29-year-old Federer improved to a 38-7 record in Basel, where he once served as a ball boy, and has won 24 of his past 25 matches at the ATP World Tour 500 indoor hard-court tennis tournament. He won three successive titles from 2006-2008 before finishing runner-up to Djokovic last year; he also reached the final in 2000-2001.

Date: 08.11.2010, Source: ATP

Roger Federer in Basel final

Roger only needed 70 minutes to defeat Andy Roddick in Basel tonight, making a clear statement with a 6-2, 6-4 victory.

It was the first time after their memorable encounter in the Wimbledon final 2009 that Roger and Andy played each other today. Roger took a super quick lead, breaking Roddick when he first had the chance. He served 13 aces and was clearly the better player at the Swiss Indoors this time.

As Roger faces Novak Djokovic in Sunday's final, he has the opportunity to take revenge for the defeat against the Serb in last year's final, where Roger was deprived of a fourth title in his home town.

"Novak’s playing great at the moment and we just played three really good matches in a row, in Shanghai, the US Open and in Toronto," said Federer. "It’s going to come down probably to a couple of points here and there. I hope the spectators get behind me and that that’s going to make a difference this year."

"It’s always a lot of fun playing Andy Roddick. We’ve played each other over 20 times in our career, but we hadn’t played each other a lot lately so I think that’s why we were both a bit unsure at the beginning how we were going to play," explained Federer. "I really got off to a good start and could play more freely than he did. I was able to get a read on his serve and just felt comfortable, even when I went down a break in the second set. At the end I really played good tennis so I’m very happy with the way it went today.”

Date: 06.11.2010, Source: RF Official and ATP

Federer chases 20th win over Roddick

Top seed Roger Federer has set a semi-final showdown with longtime rival Andy Roddick at the Swiss Indoors Basel after beating Czech veteran Radek Stepanek 6-3, 6-2 Friday.  In a master class serving performance, Federer dropped just four points on his first serve and five points on his second serve.

“It was a tough match, even though the scoreboard showed it as pretty routine,” Federer said. “He makes you work hard and second guess your choices. I didn’t face a break point and that allowed me to take some chances on the return."

Federer, 29, the three-time Basel champion, is chasing a second consecutive title following his triumph two weeks ago in Stockholm. The Swiss World No. 2 has not faced a break point in his three wins en route to the semi-finals.

Federer is seeking a 65th career title to move into outright third position in the list of Open Era titles leaders. He also chases a 20th career win over Andy Roddick, whom he leads 19-2 in career meetings. They have met at least once a year for 10 straight years, dating back to their first meeting in 2001, which came in the Basel quarter-finals.

On facing Roddick, Federer said:  “I know the danger, I know the serve, I know his game.  We’ve faced off over 20 times in the past, but I’ve got to be ready for it. It’s not an easy draw to have Andy in the semis. We’ve both played three solid matches now so it will come down to who has the better day.”

Date: 06.11.2010, Source: ATP

Quarters in Basel

Roger has made it through to the quarterfinals at the Swiss Indoors thanks to a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Janko Tipsarevic (ATP 46).

"I played well, served well and had hardly any errors. This is about as good as it gets. If I can keep it like this for the whole event, that would be amazing," Roger commented.

Our champ dominated the match, winning all 25 of his first-serve points as he never faced a single break point. He broke serve easily in the second game of the match to take a 2-0 lead - a head-start that was just right to later close out the set with an ace at 5-3.

Roger continued in style, breaking again in the second set at 3-3 and only losing one single point in his next two service games.

Next up in Basel will be either Radek Stepanek or Santiago Giraldo on Friday.

Date: 04.11.2010, Source: RF Official

Roger returns to Abu Dhabi

Six of the world’s leading tennis stars, including Roger and Rafael Nadal have been confirmed for the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi next month.

Robin Söderling, Tomas Berdych, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Marcos Baghdatis, complete an all-star line-up which will return to the recently upgraded Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex at Zayed Sports City from December 30 to January 1.

Announcing his return to Abu Dhabi for the third straight year, all-time great with 16 Grand Slam singles titles, Roger, said: “To win the Mubadala World Tennis Championship against such a strong field will be the perfect start to the 2011 season, as this world class tournament has put Abu Dhabi on the global tennis stage.”

Date: 03.11.2010, Source: RF Official

Roger storms through

Roger successfully started his bid for a record fourth title at the Swiss Indoors in his home town Basel today. He defeated Alexander Dolgopolov 6-4 5-2, as the Ukrainian had to retire.

Roger took a 4-3 lead in the opening set as he converted the first of three break points. Dolgopolov had served strong in the first set, but the danger was reduced in the second set as a wayward forehand gave Roger an early advantage after a double-fault. Roger raced even further, taking a 5-2 lead and served for the match. As Dolgopolov was sprinting up to the net, he hurt his right ankle as he stretched to reach a drop shot.

Roger is looking to regain the title in his hometown after losing in last year's final against Novak Djokovic. He has previously won the title three times.

Roger will play either Denis Istomin (ATP 43) or Janko Tipsarevic (ATP 46) on Wednesday.

Date: 02.11.2010, Source: RF Official