Roger Federer Miami 2010 R4 Interview

ROGER FEDERER
 
 THE MODERATOR:  Questions, please. 
 
 Q.  Obviously backhand was off tonight.  A lot of errors.  Unusual for you.  What was the problem out there?  He was playing well, obviously.
 ROGER FEDERER:  Yeah, it was a tough match.  Look, it's no secret I've struggled the last, what is it, five matches I've played here in the States.  It's disappointing, I think, my performance overall, if I've got to analyze right now after the match.
 But I fought as much as I could under the understood circumstances with my game having issues at the moment.  Definitely lack timing.  I don't know where that comes from because I played so nicely in Australia.  So it's disappointing to not be able to back it up.
 Maybe the sickness did take it out of me more than I thought.  Maybe the break was quite long.  I'm kind of used to those things, and I still, you know, think I could have done much better.
 I was a couple points away this week and then also in Indian Wells had my chances.  It's disappointing having had a chance to move on.  Maybe I had a chance to sort of turn around my game.
 But, you know, we'll see how it goes forward.

 Q.  What will you do to step back and assess this one?
 ROGER FEDERER:  Well, this is not stuff you can go too harshly on yourself.  I tried everything I could out there.  I thought he played a good match.  It's hard to judge his performance, because I look at mine only.
 When I'm not playing my best, it's hard to judge my opponent, to be quite honest.  But he's a good player, so I knew the danger coming in, especially with the timing issues I've had already the last couple weeks.
 But I thought I worked hard enough to iron those things out.  Maybe I did.  It was still the confidence lacking, and that's what kind of cost me these last two tournaments.
 Only fuels my desire to go back to the practice courts and come back even stronger.  I don't like to lose these type of the matches.
 I'm looking forward to the clay court season now.  It helps to kind of move on to a different surface.  Then this has nothing to do too much with the clay court season, and that helps.
 So I'm looking forward to that.  Definitely need to practice harder, and that's what I'll do.

 Q.  Your first match you said that you felt the conditions were a bit strange and the balls were flying all over the place.  Do you think that was the case tonight as well, or was it different?
 ROGER FEDERER:  I'm a bit confused with how I'm feeling the ball at the moment.  Sometimes it flies and sometimes it doesn't.  It's a lot to do with how you feel at the moment.
 Tonight it definitely felt really slow.  Normally Tomas or myself serve around 10 to 20 aces a match.  It was almost impossible to get it past the other guy, you know, with the serve.
 So conditions are so slow sometimes here, and then during the day they fly like crazy.  So I guess it's got something to do with the conditions, but the issue is really my game.  The conditions, usually I get used to those after a couple matches at the latest.

 Q.  Berdych, you've known a lot years that he has top 10 talent, right?
 ROGER FEDERER:  I would think so.

 Q.  What is it, consistency you think?
 ROGER FEDERER:  Yeah, if you look at the top 10 the last years, they've always been tough.  It's not so easy just to get in there and hang around, you know, just think it's normal to be in there.
 It definitely needs a special effort and a special sacrifice, and, you know, then you need some serious mental skills to handle the traveling and everything.  It's not so easy.  With different surfaces and injuries, it's demanding.
 Or you do it the easy way and just win a big one.  Then you're in if for a little bit and then you get better chances and seeds.  But I would have thought he would have made his move a long time ago to be in the top 10.
 Seems like he's coming back strong.  That's good to see, because he's and incredible player and he's got incredible shots.  Almost let this match off the hook again.  He got lucky tonight.

 Q.  Did you think after you won the second set that you were then gonna win the match at that point?
 ROGER FEDERER:  Well, I thought it was back to even, if not maybe a slight advantage for me because I had the momentum.
 It was a huge opportunity for him to maybe snatch victory in straight, because I kind of handed him the first set.  Then in the second set I had so many chances it felt like I was gonna hump me at the end and then he didn't, so I was kind of happy with that.
 Look, I never felt great the whole night.  I just fought with what I had.  I knew it was gonna be a tough third set, because thank God he wasn't in too many of my service games in the second set, which made it a bit easier for me to relax and concentrate on the return games.
 But, look, I had tons of chances at the end.  Match point was my serve, I mean, what more can I do?  I tried everything I could.  It's just not happening for me at the moment.

Date: 01.04.2010

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Roger upset by Berdych in a thriller

Roger had to admit a defeat against Czech Tomas Berdych in Miami on Tuesday, losing a tight match 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-7(6).

"It's no secret that I struggled the last five matches I played in the States," Roger said. "I fought, and tried everything I could, but my game is lacking something right now. I'm lacking timing. I had so many chances, but I never felt great all night. When I don't play my best, it's hard to judge my opponent, but I knew the danger. This only fuels my desire to go to the practice courts and figure out what's wrong, and get better."

Roger had beaten Berdych in eight of their previous nine encounters but paid the penalty for an error-strewn display in which he could only convert two of 12 break point opportunities. After a rather unspectacular first set which Berdych eventually won, Roger could only close the second in the tie-break after having failed to make use of his nine break points. The two players met on the same level once again, breaking and re-breaking, with Roger eventually facing the first match-point of the match at 6-5 in the decider. After a successful challenge on the side of the Czech and another match-point for Roger in the tie-break, our champ eventually had to face the three-set defeat.

Roger will now head back to Europe, where the Internazionali BNL d'Italia start towards the end of April.

Date: 31.03.2010, Source: RF Official

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Roger Federer Miami 2010 Updates

Date: 31.03.2010

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Roger Federer Miami 2010 Monday Interview

World No. 1 Roger Federer talks about the challenge of closing matches following his third-round win over Florent Serra on Monday at the Sony Ericsson Open.

Date: 30.03.2010

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Next up: Round Four

Roger defeated France's Florent Serra (ATP 61) in a pair of tiebreaks today: 7-6(2), 7-6(3).

Roger displayed some awesome tennis, starting the match well as he raced to a 5-2 lead. But he had to accept a break by his opponent, who managed to level the set at 5-5. As the set went into the tie-break, Roger regained the momentum and spared two points to close it by 7 points to 2. The second set brought an early break in the third game for our maestro, who then consolidated the lead with a double break for 4-1. Serra once again broke Roger to close in the gap, and successfully levelled the set once again at 5-5 with consecutive service breaks. Roger, surprised by the Frenchman's tenacity, failed to grab another break and looked for closure in the tie-break, which progressed as expected, giving Roger a mini-break lead at 3-1. With a lead, he closed the 7-6(2), 7-6(3) match in one hour and 32 minutes of play.

Roger will play Tomáš Berdych in his third match at the Sony Ericsson Open on Tuesday not before 9.00 p.m. (local time).

Roger Federer after the match:

“Sure, I still have to tidy up my game a bit, having had one break up in the first and two breaks up in the second; it's normally something that doesn't get away from me. But I thought he came up with some good stuff, and that made it difficult for me to close it out… I don't think I gave it to him. I think he went to get it, which is a big difference.

“The most important [thing] is to come through the rounds. So I don't have a preference how it's done. I always like to come out with confidence, that's for sure. So it's nice to having won two breakers, because that doesn't happen every match you play.”

“All in all, I’m thrilled to be through,” he said. “At the end of the day, that’s what counts.”

The crowd included Rafael Nadal, a potential opponent in Sunday’s final.

“It has always been a lot of fun playing against him,” Federer said. “I hope that day is going to come soon again.”

Date: 30.03.2010, Source: RF Official and ATP

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Roger Federer and Art of Shaving, Miami

Federer, the consummate company man, had an appearance at the Art of Shaving tent on the tournament's grounds.

Art of Shaving is a sister company of Gillette, which pays him a king's ransom to hawk its goods.

This week, the company's tent is offering a $20 hot-towel shave, with the proceeds going to the Roger Federer Foundation.

Date: 29.03.2010

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Roger Federer Miami 2010 Saturday Interview

Date: 28.03.2010

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Roger starts well

Roger opened his bid for a third title in Miami in successful manner, breezing past Ecuador's Nicolas Lapentti 6-3, 6-3 in his first match.

"I served well and made a good start on all my service games. I knew I would have chances on his serve and I took them. It's a pleasing performance and a good start."

Roger struggled with his forehand in the beginning, but fought to earn his first break point to advance to 5-3 in the opening set. Both players competed well in the second set, neither able to reach break point until 3-3. Roger struck first, taking a 4-3 lead as Lapentti gave away a backhand error. Roger then went on to complete the match with no trouble as he collected two match points at 5-3. A well-struck, cross-court backhand sealed the win for our champ in 66 minutes.

Roger will meet France's Florent Serra (ATP 61) in the third round of play. The two have never met before on the Tour.

Date: 28.03.2010, Source: RF Official

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Roger opens with comfortable win in Miami

Roger Federer preserved dignity among the elite at the Miami Masters, earning a comfortable opening victory after world number three Andy Murray crashed out to unheralded Mardy Fish.

World number one and top seed Federer quietly dominated Nicolas Lapentti Saturday, vanquishing the Ecuadoran 6-3, 6-3 in 66 minutes.

But it was another story for Murray, who fell 6-4, 6-4 to the 101st-ranked Fish.

Federer is the sole survivor of the top three as Murray's early exit followed that of second-seeded Serbian Novak Djokovic on Friday.

Federer admitted that seeing Djokovic and Murray bow out before he had even taken the court had given him pause.

"It worries me as well, being the top seed, seeing high seeds fall out of the tournament. I haven't even started playing yet, and there's two big names out of the tournament already."

But Federer said a solid service game was all he needed to steady his nerves.

"I came through because I served very well. I had a good start into all my service games. I always knew I was going to have a couple of chances at least on the return games," said Federer, who needed only two breaks of Lapentti to earn his 12th victory of the season.

Federer lined up a third-round clash with Frenchman Florent Serra, a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 winner over Spain's Albert Montanes.

Federer is beginning a bid for a third Miami title after winning here in 2005 and 2006.

Date: 27.03.2010, Source: AFP

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Federer headlines strong saturday line up

There appears to no longer be a debate about it as almost everyone is in agreement that Roger Federer is the best player to ever play the game.

Standing behind that claim is a record 16 Grand Slam titles, two more than Pete Sampras, the last record holder was able to win during his illustrious career.  And Federer also beats out Sampras in the fact that after years of trying, he finally conquered the red clay of the French Open last May, which means he’s won at all four Grand Slams.

Federer is no longer considered quite the giant force he was a few years, virtually unbeatable by most other players. Nowadays, he’ll have losses – something that has proven him to be human like the rest of us. But he’s still pretty much the player to beat day in-day out, which makes him a joy to watch.

Roger knows the lay of the land at the Sony Ericsson Open having won the title twice – he captured his first Miami crown in a fabulous five-set final win over Rafael Nadal, and beat Ivan Ljubicic in straight sets in 2006. He had an impressive 34-9 lifetime record in Miami, and is the only active player in the game who has managed to win back-to-back Indian Wells and Miami titles performing that feat twice.

The world No. 1 is also something of a fixture in the top spot on the ranking charts. He’s spent a total of 275 overall weeks on the ranking throne.

Federer’s first test at this year’s Sony Ericsson Open comes against Nicolas Lapentti of Ecuador. Lapentti found his way into this year’s draw as a lucky loser then went on to outlast Potito Starace of Italy in the first round, his first match victory of the 2010 season.  Lapentti has played the tournament 11 times in the past but this is his first main draw appearance since 2006. Lapentti’s best showing in Miami was reaching the quarterfinals in 2000 and 2002.

Bottom line: Lapentti doesn’t have enough luck to stop the Fed Express from delivering a knock out.
Keep an eye on the Fernando Verdasco and Dudi Sela match as that’s an encounter bound to gather a crowd. The No. 12 ranked Verdasco, a good-looking Spaniard, is a popular player here in Miami. The Israeli players always court widespread support in Miami as well, so the No. 71 ranked Sela should enjoy a strong fan base.

Verdasco often trains in Las Vegas with former Andre Agassi fitness guru, Gil Reyes, and was planning on getting a place in Sin City. He certainly has game and showed that off when he reached the 2009 Australian Open semifinals. This year, he won the San Jose title over Andy Roddick, went to the quarterfinal of Acapulco, and the fourth round at the Australian Open.

Sela, a feisty opponent who is quick to cover the court, had his best result of 2010 in Chennai where he reached the semis.

Crowd support won’t be enough for Sela as Verdasco secures his second career victory over the Israeli.
The women are into the third round today and there are quite a number of interesting matches on the card.
One match definitely worth attention features No. 6 seed Agnieszka Radwanska and 2008 French Open champion Ana Ivanovic.

If you disregard the rankings – Radwanska is No. 9 and Ivanovic is No. 58 – there’s no denying that Ivanovic is the household name in this encounter.

Briefly ranked No. 1 in the world for 12 non-consecutive weeks after her French Open win,  Ivanovic along with fellow Serbian Jelena Jankovic made quite a statement in the women’s game a couple of years ago.  But following her French Open success, Ivanovic sustained a thumb injury and she’s just never seemed to be the same on court. Even after the thumb healed, her minds been scattered,  and she definitely is lacking focus and self-assuredness on the court.

Ivanovic has had one encouraging moment this season, reaching the semifinals at Brisbane, which marks her best result on the WTA Tour since the 2009 Indian Wells tournament just over a year ago.

As for Radwanska, the year is going fairly well as she reached the semifinal at Dubai and Indian Wells. While her success at the Grand Slams has not taken her beyond three quarterfinal finishes as a pro, the Polish native did win two junior Grand Slam trophies at Wimbledon in 2005 and the French Open in 2006.
Ivanovic heads into this match with a 3-1 career edge over Radwanska, but it’s hard to give that advantage much muster at this point in time. There’s no denying that Ivanovic needs a win in a match like today’s to start building up her confidence, but Radwanska will roll along in the draw.

Another women’s match to watch will be between No. 16 seed Nadia Petrova of Russia against Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia.Miamians should embrace Nadia as one of their own as the Russian has taken up residence in the city. In fact, she can be seen eating at restaurants along Brickell Ave., as can British transplant Andy Murray, who maintains an apartment with a hip Brickell Ave. address.
Petrova’s best result of the season was a quarterfinal appearance at the Australian Open and she reached the fourth round at Indian Wells, too.

The No. 25 ranked Hantuchova ‘s been to the final of Monterrey and the quarterfinals of Brisbane this year and would dearly love to return to a top 10 ranking.

Hantuchova’s one win over Petrova came in their first meeting back in 2000, but Petrova won their four other matches. The last time they played was on hard courts at Beijing last fall and it took Petrova three sets to secure the victory.

This is a match that Hantuchova can win, but with Petrova playing with a home court advantage it makes the Miami-based Russian the ruler of the court.

Date: 27.03.2010, Source: Miami

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Roger Federer practicing in Miami - Photos

• Miami Photo Gallery

Date: 26.03.2010

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Federer welcomed break after early Indian Wells exit

Roger Federer turned the disappointment of a third-round exit last week at Indian Wells into a benefit, saying Thursday the unexpected time off was just what he needed before the ATP Miami Masters.

World number one Federer won the joint WTA and ATP Florida event in 2005 and 2006 but smashed a racket in a rare flare of temper here a year ago as he lost a semi-final to Novak Djokovic.

His defeat last week in the Indian Wells third round at the hands of Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis was also a shock to the system, but the Swiss star said he was able to decompress as he made the move from California to Miami.

"I've had many years where I run from one thing to the next that also I welcome having all of a sudden more days off, more days of practice, more days where I can just wake up and see what I really want to do instead of having the perfect plan the whole time," Federer said.

"It's nice to adjust that for a change, if there's anything positive to take out of a loss."

The reigning Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion is fully primed for his first match on Saturday night after a bye awarded to all seeds.

Federer says his lung infection from February is also old news.

"I felt good ever since I got the green light from the doctors," Federer said. "I've been practicing hard before Indian Wells and also now in between, so no issues whatsoever. I'm fighting fit again."

World No. 1 Roger Federer will begin his quest for a third Sony Ericsson Open title on Saturday, March 27 (Session 8) at 8:00 p.m against Nicolas Lapentti.

Date: 25.03.2010, Source: AFP

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Roger Federer practicing in Miami with Wawrinka

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Federer, Kuznetsova top-seeded for Key Biscayne

Roger Federer and Svetlana Kuznetsova are the top seeds for the Sony Ericsson Open.

The 13-day tournament begins Tuesday with unseeded women in action. Seeded players have a first-round bye, and Federer plays his opening match Saturday night.

The draw was held Monday, and No. 2-seeded Novak Djokovic and No. 4 Rafael Nadal landed in the half opposite Federer.

Five-time champion Serena Williams will miss the tournament with a left knee injury. Caroline Wozniacki is seeded second.

Defending champion Victoria Azarenka could meet reigning U.S. Open champion Kim Clijsters in the fourth round. Justine Henin, making a comeback this year, received a wild card and could face No. 5-seeded Elena Dementieva in the second round.

Miami Mens Singles Draw:

Date: 23.03.2010, Source: AP

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Federer, Murray lead strong field

Two-time champion (2005-06) Roger Federer, who is No. 1 in the South African Airways 2010 ATP Rankings for the 275th week (as of Mar. 22), leads an outstanding field which features 16 of the Top 20 players. Federer is the top seed for the sixth time in seven years (except last year).

Six players have accomplished the Indian Wells-Miami title sweep in the same year since 1991 when Jim Courier pulled it off. Federer is the only active player to win both titles in the same year, as he did it back-to-back in 2005-06. Croat Ivan Ljubicic, who at 31 years old, became the oldest player to win his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells, will look to add his name to the list.

View Men's & Women's Singles Draws
 
Defending champion Andy Murray is one of four former winners in the field -- Novak Djokovic (2007), Federer (2005-06) and Andy Roddick (2004). The Miami champion has been ranked in the Top 10 every year since 1992 with Courier the last winner outside the Top 10 at No. 18 in 1991.

In the first quarter of the draw, Federer, who owns a 34-9 lifetime record in Miami, opens against a qualifier or Italian Potito Starace. The first seed Federer could face is No. 26 Albert Montanes in the third round (Federer leads 3-0) or possibly wild card and ’03 runner-up Carlos Moya (Federer leads 7-0).  In the fourth round, the Swiss could meet No. 16 Tomas Berdych (Federer leads 8-1) or No. 20 Gilles Simon, who won the previous two meetings.

In the quarter-finals, Federer could face No. 7 Marin Cilic (Federer leads 1-0), No. 10 Fernando Verdasco (Federer leads 4-0),  No. 23 Jurgen Melzer (never met) or No. 25 Marcos Baghdatis (Federer leads 6-1). The Cypriot saved three match points in the third round in Indian Wells and prevailed in a third set tie-break. Verdasco and Melzer could meet in the third round (Verdasco leads 3-1) while Baghdatis and Cilic could square off in the same round (never met).

In the second quarter of the draw, No. 3 and defending champion Andy Murray, who is coming off a quarter-final effort in Indian Wells, takes on Mardy Fish (Murray leads 3-1) or Leonardo Mayer (Murray leads 1-0) in his first match. Murray could meet No. 29 seed Feliciano Lopez in the third round (Murray leads 2-0). In the fourth round, Murray could take on No. 13 Mikhail Youzhny (Murray leads 2-0) or No. 19 Stanislas Wawrinka (Murray leads 5-3). Murray's possible quarter-final opponents include No. 5 seed Robin Soderling (tied 2-2), who defeated the Scot in Indian Wells, No. 9 Fernando Gonzalez (Gonzalez leads 2-1), a semi-finalist in 2004, No. 22 Juan Monaco (tied 1-1) or No. 31Janko Tipsarevic (tied 3-3).

In the bottom half of the draw (third quarter), No. 4 and two-time runner-up Rafael Nadal opens against Taylor Dent or a qualifier. The first seed Nadal could meet is No. 30 Viktor Troicki (Nadal leads 3-0) in the third round. In the fourth round, Nadal could play No. 15 David Ferrer (Nadal leads 8-3) or No. 24 Ivo Karlovic (Nadal leads 3-0). Karlovic, who is 0-6 lifetime in Miami, takes on a qualifier or Spaniard Daniel Gimeno-Traver in his first match.

In the quarter-finals, Nadal could meet No. 8 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Nadal leads 4-1), No. 12 Juan Carlos Ferrero (Nadal leads 6-2), No. 17 John Isner (Nadal leads 1-0) or No. 28 Philipp Kohlschreiber (Nadal leads 5-0). In the third round Tsonga could face Kohlschreiber (tied 1-1) and Isner could meet Ferrero for the first time.

In the final quarter, World No. 2 and 2007 champion Novak Djokovic opens against the winner of Olivier Rochus (Rochus leads 2-1)-Richard Gasquet (Djokovic leads 2-1). Djokovic, who is 12-3 lifetime in Miami, could face No. 27 Thomaz Bellucci (never met) in the third round. Bellucci takes on the winner of Serbian wild card Filip Krajinovic and James Blake. Djokovic’s possible fourth round opponents are No. 14 Gael Monfils (Djokovic leads 4-0) or No. 21 Sam Querrey (Djokovic leads 3-0). In the quarter-finals Djokovic could face No. 6 Andy Roddick, who leads 4-2 against the Serb, No. 11 Ivan Ljubicic (Djokovic leads 5-2 although the Croat won in Indian Wells), No. 18 Tommy Robredo (Djokovic leads 5-1), or No. 32 Julien Benneteau (Djokovic leads 3-1).

Roddick, who has won the most matches (20) on the ATP World Tour this season, opens against Russian Igor Andreev (tied 2-2) or a qualifier. The first seed Roddick could face in the third round is Benneteau (Roddick leads 3-1). Roddick has a 25-9 record in Miami and he's reached the quarterfinals or better in five of the past six years (except '05). He’s coming off a runner-up showing in Indian Wells (l. to Ljubicic). Ljubicic, who reached the final in Miami in 2006 (l. to Federer), plays the winner of Germans Simon Greul and Benjamin Becker in his first match. The Croat could meet Robredo in the third round  (Ljubicic leads 5-1).

Date: 23.03.2010, Source: Miami

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Roger Federer practicing at Miami

Date: 23.03.2010

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Canas, a former Federer nemesis, retires to coach

KEY BISCAYNE About 30 minutes before top-ranked Roger Federer began practicing on stadium court late Saturday afternoon in preparation for this week's Sony Ericsson Open, his former tormentor was toiling on the practice courts in his new role as coach.

No, it wasn't the pesky David Nalbandian or Rafael Nadal, who was busy losing in the semifinals at Indian Wells.

Rather, it was Guillermo Canas, the tenacious Argentine, who stunned Federer in back-to-back Masters tournaments at Indian Wells and the Sony Ericsson Open in March 2007. First, he snapped Federer's personal-best 41 match-winning streak and then a week later edged him in a third-set tiebreaker at the Sony before eventually losing to Novak Djokovic in the final.

"There were many highlights, but beating Roger two weeks in a row was amazing,'' smiled a still-chiseled Canas after a practice session with one of his disciples, 100th-ranked Wayne Odesnik of Fort Lauderdale.

"I was great for me and then in 2008 I was in the top [15] again and one year after that I'm coaching, and will make my retirement official this week.''

Federer, who came to Miami a week before his first match to get acclimated to the conditions after a third-round loss to Marcos Baghdatis at Indian Wells, did beat Canas the next two times to even their series 3-3.

"He was always a grinder and always gave his best on the court, so you always knew you were in for a tough match,'' Federer said after a hitting session with 351st-ranked Filip Krajinovic.

"It was a bit different losing to the same player back-to-back. It hadn't happened to me in years.''

Canas, 32, was ranked eighth in 2005 when he was suspended by the ATP for 18 months for taking a banned diuretic. He was later exonerated. That layoff combined with four wrist surgeries derailed a promising career that saw him win seven titles.

He also reached the quarterfinals of the French Open three times.

"Yes [I was wronged], but it's good to put in the past and enjoy what happens after,'' said Canas, who last September started the Canas Tennis Academy at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park.

"My life is different, but I'm happy in the role I'm doing right now.''

That role involves teaching promising juniors as well as young pros such as Odesnik and Paul Capdeville.

"He's so mentally tough it rubs off on his pupils,'' said Odesnik, who's over a sprained ankle sustained in a first-round win in Delray last month. "He's made tennis interesting for me again.''

And life safer for Federer.

Date: 22.03.2010, Source: Sun Sentinel

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