Roger Federer misses final

Roger had to accept a straight-set loss to Albert Montañes today in Estoril: 2-6, 6-7(5).

Roger clearly had trouble with the surface that was slower today due to heavy rainfall that had caused a rain delay earlier. He dropped his serve three times in the first set. The second set proved to be better but he still did not manage to break the Spaniard, taking the set into a tie-breaker. Roger then raced to a 5-2 lead with two services of his own - only for his opponent to score the next five points and thus the match.

Roger will now travel to Madrid where he will compete in the ATP 1000 tournament that starts coming Monday.

Date: 08.05.2010, Source: RF Official

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Second semi-final in 2010

Roger successfully continued his quest for a second Estoril Open title today, moving into the last four with a 7-6(7), 6-2 victory over Arnaud Clément.

Roger got off to a bad start as his footwork clearly failed him. But just as we love him, he showed his mental resilience to fight back, winning the next three games to take a narrow lead. This mini-revival proved to be the turning point in the set - although Roger was never close to his best in what remained of the opener, he managed to edge past his opponent with the odd flash of brilliance. Roger then went on to take a 2-0 lead and finally picked up his rhythm at 3-1 up, hitting a series of whipped forehands that looked ominous for Clement's chances of recovery.

Roger will now play his first semi-final since January; he will face defending champion Albert Montañes (ATP 34). Roger has won all 3 encouters against the Spaniard so far.

Date: 07.05.2010, Source: RF Official

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First singles victory on clay in 2010

Roger has successfully mastered his first match of the Estoril Open, celebrating his first victory on clay this year. He defeated Germany's Björn Phau (ATP 138) 6-3, 6-4 in 83 minutes.

"It was a very important match for me today," Roger said, knowing that first rounds can be tricky. He won the Estoril crown in 2008 but skipped last year's event

Roger will now meet Arnaud Clément from France (ATP 83) in the quarter finals. Our champ has won 6 out of their 9 encounters so far.

Date: 05.05.2010, Source: RF Official

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Federer eyes Estoril Title; Ready for weeks ahead

World No. 1 Roger Federer is hoping to bounce back after losing at the Foro Italico in Rome last week, by recording his first clay-court win of the year at the Estoril Open.

“I felt good going into Rome, but after one match and intense practise I’m looking forward to the week ahead,” admitted the 2008 champion, after practising with Leonardo Tavares on Tuesday afternoon.

In the notoriously windy conditions of the Estadio Nacional, Federer joked that he “needed to visit an eye doctor [on Monday] as I got three kilograms of clay during practice [with Rui Machado].” But he sees playing in testing conditions as a challenge.

“For sure, I’d like to win the tournament again. As the only Top 10 player in the draw, I have high expectations. But first of all I’d like to record my first win on clay after losing to [Ernests] Gulbis last week.

With Roland Garros and Wimbledon on the horizeon, the Swiss superstar admitted, “We’ll see how tricky it is to defend my titles. I know my game, my mind and my body is good enough. The next few weeks will be interesting, not crucial, to see where my level is at.”

Federer, who has a 13-4 match record on the season, will contest his first match at the Estoril Open against Bjorn Phau of Germany on Wednesday. It will be broadcast live in 3D by MEO, the cable channel from Portugal Telecom, for the first time at a national event.

Date: 04.05.2010, Source: Estoril

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Federer takes Children to Estoril Open; Remembers his youth

World No. 1 Roger Federer answered questions about his life on the professional circuit from 16 lucky school children – aged between six and nine – during a 40-minute tram ride through the streets of Lisbon on Tuesday morning.

“I am very used to drive around in trams,” admitted Federer, who is looking to capture his 63rd tour-level title this week. “I used to travel to practice back in Basel on the tram in winter and with the bike in summer time. It does not feel too unusual to me.

Federer, who  lifted the 2008 title with victory over Russian Nikolay Davydenko in the final, started the journey on a 53-year-old tram at the Museu do Museu do Eléctrico in Largo do Calvário (Alcântara).

It went through Rua da Junqueira, the house of the president Cavaco Silva at Palácio de Belém, the factory of Pasteis de Belem and the Monasterio dos Jeronimos, where a second group of children from Colégio St. Julians de Carcavelos jumped on the tram.

The last stop was at Rotunda de Alges, where the group got on a bus for the Estadio Nacional, venue of the ATP World Tour 250 clay-court tennis tournament.

“I like coming to Portugal,” the Swiss superstar said. “That is why I am here again. Two years ago, I had a wonderful experience, not just because I won the tournament, but the people were very friendly, very welcoming and very happy to see me.

“Of course the city of Lisbon and Estoril is very nice and so we decided if the schedule allowed we would like to come back. This year was the right year and it is going to be another good tournament for me.”

Federer will contest his first match at the Estoril Open on Wednesday, against either qualifier Marc Lopez or Bjorn Phau of Germany. It will be broadcast live in 3D by MEO, the cable channel from Portugal Telecom, for the first time at a national event.

Date: 04.05.2010, Source: Estoril

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Fans flock to Federer practise

World No. 1 Roger Federer's first practise session at the Estoril Open Monday saw hundreds of tennis fans scramble for the best positions among the hedge rows surrounding Court 13.

The World No. 1, who was escorted to the court by six security guards, trained with Portuguese No. 1 Rui Machado in windy conditions.
"Since I had practised with Roger before, two years ago here, this time I wasn't caught off-guard by his demanding style," said Machado. "We practised around 80 minutes, we didn't do anything too specific, it was just a normal pre-tournament practice. Conditions were tough, it was really windy.

"We talked a little bit; Roger asked me how many [ATP] Challengers and [ITF] Futures we had in Portugal. He also asked, 'Where do we usually play Davis Cup matches here in Portugal?' I told him we are going to play the next tie here at the Centralito. He said, 'It's a beautiful court."

A tournament record 53,888 spectators attended the Estadio Nacional in 2008, when the Swiss superstar beat Russian Nikolay Davydenko in the final.

Date: 03.05.2010, Source: Estoril

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Estoril Open

Roger is back in action at the ATP 250 Series tournament in Estoril this week. After a first round bye he will either meet Germany's Björn Phau (ATP 138) or a qualifyer. Roger has been defeated by Phau in the past - dating back to 1999 when Roger was 18 years old, though (in the first round in Washington).

Roger could meet Juan Ignacio Chela (ATP 54) in the quarter finals. Roger defeated the Argentinian in all of their four previous matches, the last time being four years back in Rome on clay. A semi-final against Albert Montañes (ATP 34) is possible after that: Roger has never lost in their three encounters so far.

Date: 03.05.2010, Source: RF Official

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