Federer ready for grass season after French Open loss

Sweep away the clay, bring on the grass summed up Roger Federer's emotions after his French Open defeat to Novak Djokovic on Friday. The Swiss star lost in straight sets 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 to the top seed from Serbia in a semi-final encounter that left him on a record 16 Grand Slam titles, the last coming over two years ago at the 2010 Australian Open.

It was a poor performance from Federer, by his own superlative standards, and it brought down the curtain on a claycourt season that, for him, was a damp squib after a promising few months.

"That's how it goes sometimes. I've got to change things around now for grass anyway," he said.

"I'm looking forward to that. It's been a difficult clay court season. I wasn't in the best shape physically, to be quite honest. Still, it gives me a little bit of a lift, coming into the grass court season now."

The grass court season for Federer traditionally means Wimbledon and what he has always maintained is the title that means more to him than any other.

This year though there are two Wimbledon titles at stake, the other being the Olympic title, the one major honour. He did win doubles gold for Switzerland with Stanislas Wawrinka at Beijing four years ago.

Federer, who will turn 31 in August, had his chances against Djokovic, especially in the second set when he jumped out into a 3-0 lead.

But in windy, variable conditions, he never really settled into his game, while Djokovic, who needed two five-setters in the two previous rounds, was able to establish more consistency in his game.

"I was struggling to sort of keep the ball in play long enough, even though I wasn't hitting the ball poorly," he said. "It's been a tough week for me. Maybe in these conditions today didn't help me, help the cause, let's put it that way."

"I did have enough chances, so it's no excuse there. I tried, and it just didn't work out today."

Date: 09.06.2012, Source: AFP

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Federer lost to Djokovic in the semis

Roger Federer fell to Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 in a Roland Garros semi-final re-match on Friday. Having come back from two sets down to rally past Juan Martin del Potro in the quarter-finals, Federer believed he was in-form heading into the final four showdown with Djokovic.

Once the clouds cleared over south-west Paris, the second semi-final began with Federer in confident mood. Moving flawlessly, the Swiss gave Djokovic little time to recover by hitting his forehands early on the rise. The tactic reaped dividends with Djokovic falling to 15/40 at 2-2. Federer converted his second opportunity with a powerful forehand winner, but honours were soon even as Djokovic immediately broke back, to 30, for 3-3. Djokovic had weathered the storm, but Federer continued to flirt with the lines and over-pressed. The third seed fell to 15/40 at 4-5, two set points for Djokovic. The Serbian sealed the 34-minute set when Federer overcooked a forehand long. Djokovic hit 10 winners and committed just three unforced errors.

Federer continued to be aggressive, winning a 36-shot rally when Djokovic led 40/30 in the first game of the second set. The Swiss went onto convert a break point opportunity by hitting a smash winner. He soon took a 3-0 lead, to leave Djokovic breathing a little heavier, after a second service break to 30. But the World No. 1 responded, recovering to 2-3, to keep the pressure on. Federer could have made it 5-2, but failed to convert three break point chances. Would it cost him? It did. Federer initially became tentative and his forehand unforced error count increased. The pair exchanged service breaks, before Federer served for the set at 5-4. Djokovic held his nerve and won three straight games, converting his second set point chance when Federer ballooned a forehand long. Federer won 14 of his 35 service points in the 53-minute set, while Djokovic hit 11 winners and converted four of his five break point opportunities.

Federer paid the price for a spate of missed first serves in the sixth game. He recovered from 15/40, but Djokovic converted his third break point chance as Federer buried a forehand in the net. The 30-year-old Federer made Djokovic serve it out and the Serb opens up a 40/15 lead in the ninth game with a remarkable backhand passing shot. The Belgrade native missed his first match point with a forehand long, but converted his second opportunity with an unreturned serve. He claimed victory after two hours and five minutes, having hit 27 winners and capitalised on 46 unforced errors from Federer’s racquet.

Federer was looking to reach the Roland Garros final for the sixth time. He completed the career Grand Slam with victory in 2009 (d. Soderling) and lost out to Nadal in the finals in 2006-2008 and 2011. The Swiss has won a record 16 Grand Slam championships, but has not triumphed at a major since the 2010 Australian Open (d. Murray).

"I thought he played well under tough conditions," assessed Federer. "I wasn't able to sustain maybe a solid enough game today. I did have enough chances, so it's no excuse there. I tried, and it just didn't work out today."

"Semi-finals is, at the end of the day, a very good result for any tennis player. For me, too. I wish I could have done a bit better today, especially with the wasted opportunities. But that's how it goes sometimes. I've got to go change things around now for grass anyway. I'm looking forward to that. It's been a difficult clay court season."

“Overall, I did feel my very best coming into the semis today,” said Federer. “I was where I wanted to be, but ran into an opponent who was just better today. Still, it gives me a little bit of a lift coming into the grass-court season now.”

Evaluating how the match went down, Federer was most disappointed about dropping the second set.

“I was actually feeling particularly well in the second set, so that one obviously hurts the most to lose. And the first set, too,” Federer said. “But in the third, I wasn't able to put a good game together anymore. And the return in particular, obviously with a two sets to love lead against Novak it's not the same match anymore."

“I would have liked to do better here at Roland Garros. I'm supported so much, and I won in 2009, also. So I wanted to re-experience this. Unfortunately, it was not possible at all during these two weeks.”

Date: 08.06.2012, Source: ATP

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Federer reveals his plan of battle against Djokovic

Paul Annocane, Severin Luthi and John McEnroe says Novak Djokovic will be on attack by Roger Federer in todays Roland Garros 2012 semi final match.

After the so far conflicting appearances at Roland Garros Novak Djokovic awaits today with the big test for Roger Federer. 2011 Roger Federer ended Djokovic's run of 41 wins in the Paris semi-final. 14:11, the balance in favor of Federer, and Federer is 3-2 on clay.

Federer knows that he must take Djoker together with his coach Paul Annacone and Severin Luthi and he has designed the game plan.

"I had a hard time here, did not play my best tennis. It is physical. I want it soon caught up in a couple of long rallies, "he says. "In Rome he was able to dominate me, his backhand was playing along the line, was very offensive returned well. I must serve better and play offensively. I must bring him to doubt. If he runs once, it is difficult to stop", says Roger.

Federer's team noticed that Djokovic has stood with their backs to the wall. Severin Luthi: "Five Movements against Seppi and five against Tsonga - there considering you already know if he reached his level. He does not have as much confidence as 2011, I have a very good feeling."

Paul Annacone says that Federer had to find that extra gear. "In the important moments he can almost always improve. Roger first had to find the style with which he feels comfortable. 2009, it was like now. We know what happened then."

John McEnroe's point: "Roger has the crowd behind him. And it is important that he exploits it for themselves. He must find a way to make it click between him and the stadium does."

Date: 08.06.2012, Source: Blick

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Federer fight back stuns Del Potro

2009 champion Roger Federer fought back from two sets to love down for the seventh time in his career with a 3-6, 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-0, 6-3 quarter-final win over ninth seed Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina at Roland Garros.

Federer reached his 31st Grand Slam championship semi-final, to equal Jimmy Connors' record for the most major semi-final appearances, with victory in three hours and 14 minutes. He next will attempt to repeat his 2011 Roland Garros semi-final win over top seed Novak Djokovic. The Serb also rallied from behind to beat Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in five sets.

"I thought it was very good conditions for him," said Federer. "I knew it was going to be tough anyway. I have been struggling to find my rhythm. I did feel it in the first set, even though he was up two sets. I was finding a way back and starting to feel better. I was just trying to figure out how to play a guy who returns from so far back on a slow court. Do you try to serve through him? Which I tried; it didn't work. Or do I try and move it around a bit? And that worked a bit better, but it was really in the mix up that I found success."

"The second set was a tough set for me to lose, but he played a really good breaker and got the better of me. But I was happy that the first two sets took some time, because I did favour myself once the match got longer. I'm very happy with the way I fought and started in the third set, fourth set, and even in the fifth set, where, obviously, it was the toughest, because that was his last chance and his resistance maybe was the strongest there."

Del Potro broke serve four times in the first two sets, when he lost just eight points on his first serve. But a knee injury that had bothered del Potro during the tournament flared up and required treatment. When del Potro's first serve percentage began to drop, Federer seized control of the match. He lost just eight points in the 23-minute fourth set and swept through the decider for his 237th match win at a major championship.

It was Federer's third comeback from two sets to love down at Roland Garros. He also did so against Sargis Sargsian in 2001 and Tommy Haas in 2009, when he went on to beat del Potro in five sets en route to completing a career Grand Slam with his first - and, to date, only - Roland Garros title. The 30-year-old Swiss also improved to 19-16 in matches decided in a fifth set. Federer now leads del Potro 8-2 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series.

Del Potro, who reached the 2009 semi-finals, had his serve broken eight times. He committed 43 unforced errors - as many as Federer - but won just 35 per cent of his return points.

"I played a great match, even in the third and fourth sets," said del Potro. "He started to play much better than in the beginning of the match.

"I didn't serve well, and this is why I lost the intensity in my game. I had opportunities. I missed them. When he had opportunities he won, and that made the difference. I didn't have any chance to win until the first game in the fifth set when I had one break point opportunity."

"It was a great tournament for me. I'm very happy I made it to this level. When I win sets, when I win games against the big players, against those who have a better ranking than my own, there's always something to learn. There are positives and negatives, and I have to work on the negative aspects."

Date: 05.06.2012, Source: ATP

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Federer's path of least resistance

For the 32nd straight major, Roger Federer is through to the quarterfinals. And while he's made it look tough at times, this has been his easiest path ever to the final eight of a Grand Slam tournament.

So far at Roland Garros, Federer has beaten No. 78 Tobias Kamke, No. 92 Adrian Ungur and No. 89 Nicolas Mahut. In Sunday's fourth round he knocked off No. 109 David Goffin in four sets.

Never before has the 16-time major champ gotten through to the quarterfinals of a major without facing a player ranked 62nd or better.

Federer encountered his toughest test en route to his second major quarterfinal, at Wimbledon in 2001. There he beat No. 6 Pete Sampras, in their only meeting. Since then Federer has earned easier routes, thanks to a ranking of fifth or better for all of his subsequent quarterfinal appearances.

Federer's path at this year's French Open looked trickier before potential early-round opponents David Nalbandian, Andy Roddick, Radek Stepanek and Feliciano Lopez all lost in the first round. Despite the fortunate draw, Federer has lost three sets and 39.6% of the games he's played.

It gets much more difficult from here. In the quarterfinals Federer gets No. 9 Juan Martin del Potro. If he wins that match, he could have to beat the world's top two players, Novak Djokovic and six-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal, to win the title.

Date: 04.06.2012, Source: The Wall Street Journal

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Federer beats fan Goffin to reach quarterfinals

Roger Federer surrendered one set against Belgian fan and newcomer David Goffin before beating the lucky loser 5-7 7-5 6-2 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals of the French Open at a record 32nd consecutive major tournament on Sunday.

Federer, seeking a record 17th grand-slam title, will play either Argentine Juan Martin del Potro, the ninth seed, or number seven Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic in the last eight.

The Swiss, who won the Roland Garros title in 2009, saved two breakpoints before surrendering a third on a forehand error to lose the first set.

The 21-year-old Goffin, the first lucky loser to reach the last 16 of a grand slam since compatriot Dick Norman at Wimbledon in 1995, kept up the pressure but ultimately was no match for the wily Federer.

Goffin, who plastered his bedroom walls with posters of his idol Federer when he was a teenager, won over the fans on the windy Suzanne Lenglen Court with his fighting spirit and prowess at the net.

At a break down in the fourth set, and presumably feeling defeat's warm breath on his neck, Goffin won a point on Federer's serve with a particularly athletic volley.

The Belgian put his arm in the air, then graciously bowed to three sides of the court as the crowd cheered.

Federer, 30, held serve and served out for the match at the next opportunity, showing his younger rival how it was done with an ace and a spectacular forehand down the line on the final two points.

"David has played an extraordinary tournament," the Swiss said in an interview on court. "I congratulate him from the bottom of my heart."

Goffin beamed. "It is really a dream to play against Roger and I hope to have many more matches like this," he said.

The two men embraced. The crowd cheered. Everyone went home happy.

Date: 03.06.2012, Source: Reuters

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'Idol' Federer braced for poster boy Goffin

When Roger Federer was winning his first Wimbledon in 2003, David Goffin was a starstruck child, hanging posters of the great Swiss on the wall of his bedroom in the Belgian city of Liege.

Now, nine years on, the 21-year-old gets the opportunity to play against his idol with a French Open quarter-final place at stake.

However, just one week ago, such a scenario had looked impossible.

Goffin, the world 109, had lost in the qualifying tournament at Roland Garros and was ready to pack his bags for home.

But when top French player Gael Monfils pulled out of the event with a knee injury, he was handed a lifeline into the main draw as a lucky loser -- an alternate on standby -- and has not looked back.

Goffin has become the first lucky loser to reach the last 16 of a Grand Slam since compatriot Dick Norman at Wimbledon in 1995 and the first at Roland Garros since 1978.

"I haven't realized what has happened. Not yet. Maybe next week," said baby-faced Goffin, making his Grand Slam debut.

"Now I'm playing against Roger, and I can't believe it. When I was young I had a lot of pictures of him in my bedroom. I will give it my best on Sunday."

Thanks to his efforts this week, Goffin's Grand Slam record now stands at 3-0.

Federer, nine years his senior, has 16 Grand Slam titles in his total haul of 74 career trophies, a 235-35 match record at the majors as well as more than $70 million in prize money.

"I've been watching Roger playing on TV for so many years. He has always been my favourite. He has perfect tennis, perfect technique, and I like the man," added Goffin. From a human standpoint, he is a great person, whether on the court or outside the court. So I expect a very difficult match on Sunday. I don't know exactly how I should prepare for this match, but I'll try and have fun."

Goffin, whose best performance on the main tour so far was a quarter-final appearance in Mumbai in January, has looked comfortable so far at Roland Garros, defeating experienced Radek Stepanek and Arnaud Clement in the first two rounds.

A straight sets win against Poland's Lukasz Kubot paved the way for his dream Sunday date with Federer.

When Federer was told of how Goffin regarded him as an idol growing up, the world number three admitted it was a position he was getting accustomed to.

"Not the first time it happens. It's strange, weird. It's everything you can imagine. I'm happy to hear it, though," said Federer, the 2009 champion in Paris. "So it's a big match for him, and for me, too. It's gonna be an unusual match for me, knowing that now."

Federer admitted he knows little of his opponent, but had seen glimpses of what he may face on Sunday after he watched Goffin beat Clement.

"I've seen him around, but it's a nice game, he's a smooth ball striker and talented, obviously. Otherwise he wouldn't be coming that far in this tournament."

Date: 02.06.2012, Source: AFP

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Roger Federer sees off Mahut

Roger Federer overcame tenacious Frenchman Nicolas Mahut 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 to move into the Round of 16 on Friday at Roland Garros.

"I thought he did well. Struggled a little bit, but overall obviously I'm happy I came through," said the 30-year-old Swiss.

Federer dropped a set to Mahut for the first time in four meetings, as the Frenchman capitalised on his first break point opportunity to clinch the second set. He once again came under pressure in the fourth, with Mahut recovering a break of serve in the eighth game, but Federer broke again for a 6-5 lead before serving out the match.

The 2009 champion advances to the Roland Garros fourth round for the 10th time in 14 appearances. He notched his 235th match win in Grand Slam action, two days after eclipsing Jimmy Connors' Open Era mark.

Federer will next play 21-year-old Belgian David Goffin, who defeated Poland’s Lukasz Kubot 7-6(4), 7-5, 6-1 to become just the seventh lucky loser - and first since countryman Dick Norman in 1995 at Wimbledon - to reach the Round of 16 at a major.

"Now I'm playing against Roger, and I can't believe it," said Goffin. "When I was young I had a lot of picture in my bedroom of him. I will prepare this match like every match. We will see. I will give all my best in two days."

Goffin had been elevated into the main draw when Frenchman Gael Monfils withdrew with a knee injury, and impressed on his Grand Slam debut with five-sets wins over Radek Stepanek and Arnaud Clement in the first two rounds - also his first two tour-level wins on clay.

Federer had a chance to see Goffin's game, after watching him play Clement in the French veteran's last match at Roland Garros. "It's a nice game, smooth ball striker and talented, obviously," he said. "Otherwise he wouldn't be coming that far in this tournament. Today he had a convincing tournament, and that's exactly what he needed coming into the next round."

Date: 01.06.2012, Source: ATP

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Federer set a new record of Grand Slam match wins

Roger Federer moved clear of Jimmy Connors on Wednesday for most matches won at the four Grand Slam championships in the Open Era (since 1968).

Federer improved to 234-35 lifetime after he battled to beat World No. 92 Adrian Ungur of Romania 6-3, 6-2, 6-7(6), 6-3 at Roland Garros for a third round match against Slovakian Martin Klizan or Nicolas Mahut of France.

"I reached the tie-breaker and instead of being aggressive, I let him show me what he could do," said Federer. "He played two beautiful shots, and then I started not playing very well."

"Even though I won the first set 6-3 with a solid break, I knew that if he was to get in the match, it would be more difficult, and he had many opportunities during the second set. In the third set I made wrong decisions. He got in the match, and he played a very good third set. Then he relaxed a bit at the beginning of the fourth set, which was quite crucial."

Federer saved two set points at 4-5, 15/40 in the third set, then he squandered two match point opportunities at 6-4 in the tie-break with mis-timed groundstrokes. He lost four straight points and a net-rushing Ungur clinched the 48-minute third set when he rushed Federer into a backhand error. Federer is now 9-6 this year in tie-breaks.

Ungur, who plays German Bundesliga tennis for TC Amberg, began to tire at the start of the fourth set that saw Federer take a 3-0 lead. It proved to be enough and the 30-year-old Federer improved to a 33-4 record on the season with victory in just just over two hours and 30 minutes.

The 16-time major champion, who won the 2009 Roland Garros title (d. Soderling), hit 15 aces and 50 winners. He converted four of his 12 break point opportunities. Federer won his 20th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title at the Mutua Madrid Open (d. Berdych) earlier this month.

Date: 30.05.2012, Source: ATP

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Federer records 50th match win at Roland Garros

Roger Federer equalled Jimmy Connors' record for most Grand Slam match wins (233) on Monday when the third seed and 2009 champion defeated Tobias Kamke of Germany 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 at Roland Garros.

Federer, who is competing at his 50th major championship, is now 233-35 lifetime at the Grand Slams. It was also the 50th victory of his career at Roland Garros (50-12).

The Swiss superstar is looking to become the first man aged 30 or over to win a major title since Andre Agassi won the 2003 Australian Open aged 32 years, 272 days. Federer beat Soderling for the 2009 title and is also a four-time runner-up.

"I get a great deal of pleasure playing here. When I play well, the numbers come with me. It's great to have played and won here so often. I hope it continues," said Federer.

Federer will next meet Romania's Adrian Ungur, who hit 46 winners past David Nalbandian of Argentina in a 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, 7-5 victory.

Date: 28.05.2012, Source: ATP

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Federer: "Right where I want to be"

Roger Federer is healthy and ready to begin his quest for a 17th major title at Roland Garros. Federer has won an ATP World Tour leading four trophies this season heading into Paris, including his 20th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crown in Madrid.

“I feel really good. Much less problems than I had through Madrid and Rome,” said Federer. “I took three days off after the Djokovic match from Rome and just came here and relaxed and started practising Wednesday. So I feel right where I want to be a few days before the event.”

The Swiss completed a career Grand Slam on Court Philippe Chatrier three years ago, and has established consistency at the second major tournament of the year, reaching the final in five of his past six appearances.

“Obviously 2009 was very, very special winning here,” Federer said. “Just the emotions were ridiculous, and I got amazing crowd support. It was the same again basically last year, which was so nice to see."

“I’m looking forward to it again this year. It would mean a lot to me, because I have had some of those great emotions I was just telling you about. To relive those would be amazing, winning the title here, no doubt.”

Federer, who faces Tobias Kamke in the first round, could clash with Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.

Date: 27.05.2012, Source: ATP

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"Very special time in tennis" says Federer

Roger Federer, the 2009 titlist and 16-time major champion, challenges Germany's Tobias Kamke in the first round. He could overtake Jimmy Connors' 233-49 record for most Open Era Grand Slam match wins if he advances to the third round. The Swiss, appearing at his 50th successive major, is currently 232-35 overall. He has a 49-12 lifetime mark at Roland Garros. Federer may face No. 28 seed Andy Roddick in the third round, No. 15 seed Feliciano Lopez in the Last 16 and either No. 7 seed Tomas Berdych or No. 9 seed and recent Estoril Open titlist Juan Martin del Potro in the quarter-finals.

Federer, who turned 30 on 8 August 2011, is looking to become the 11th different man aged 30 or over to win a Grand Slam title since 1968. The last man to win a major title aged over 30 was Andre Agassi, who was 32 years 272 days old when he won the 2003 Australian Open. Andres Gomez was the last man to win Roland Garros aged over 30, when he won the 1990 title aged 30 years 103 days.

The Swiss could snatch a record 17th grand-slam crown on the Paris clay, while Nadal wants to secure a record seventh French title and world number one Djokovic hopes to become the first man in 43 years to win the four major titles in a row.

"Well, I think at the moment it's quite incredible. I can't see one player not playing well at the moment, finding things difficult," world number three Federer, who won his only French Open title in 2009, told a news conference on Friday.

"Some say two play well, one plays slightly less well, but the three play very well all along."

"But Novak deserves it. Nadal, too. It's true that we're going through a very special time in tennis."

The Roger v Rafa duel has turned into a three-way rivalry with Djokovic taking over as world number one. What now what stands between Djokovic and greatness is the Spaniard's dominance on clay.

"It's an amazing achievement in itself to win three (grand-slam events) in a row. Four in a row is just another amazing step," said Federer.

"I think the toughest part is the very end, the back end of it. I've been there twice, I think. I was twice in the finals, twice a couple of sets away."

"I was playing Rafa here, which doesn't make it a whole lot easier. But it's easier to maybe start with the French in this era and then finishing it on the hard court."

According to Federer, who lost to him four times in the Paris final, Nadal is the favorite for the claycourt tournament starting on Sunday.

"I think Rafael playing for his seventh title is the favorite. I think he lost only two sets between Rome, Monte Carlo and Barcelona, so that's a pretty good start."

"Then he's playing for his seventh title, so no discussion. We're crazy to even talk about this. Some people might say he's not the favorite, but to me he's the favorite."

"I played him so many times here. I know how incredible he can be here in Roland Garros."

Date: 25.05.2012, Source: Reuters and ATP

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Roger Federer's Roland Garros 2012 Nike outfit

Link: More photos of the outfit

Date: 21.05.2012

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Roger Federer eyes return to world No. 1

Roger Federer admits he has one eye on eclipsing Pete Sampras' all-time record for most spent time as world No. 1 after leapfrogging Rafael Nadal in the world rankings.

Federer's victory at the Madrid Open saw him move back to No. 2 in the world rankings as he came from a set down to beat Tomas Berdych 3-6 7-5 7-5 on the controversial blue clay.

The last time Federer won in Madrid he went on to win the French Open - victory at Roland Garros would see him return to No. 1 - equalling Sampras' record of 286 weeks at the top of the world rankings.

"Back then I was just trying to stay world No. 1 and I never really looked at Pete's record that much," Federer said. "I guess I could have chased it a few years ago, just really trying to beat that record. It's no secret for any player out there that you'd rather be No. 1 than No. 2.

"But I look at the long term, maybe if I wasn't good enough to break that record, then maybe I never will be."

Novak Djokovic is aiming to hold all four major titles by winning the French Open, but while the Serb tips six-time champion Rafael Nadal as the man to beat at Roland Garros, Federer is a man in form - having claimed a fourth title of 2012 on the blue clay in Madrid.

"I don't need to beat every record Pete set, he's my idol after all and I'm just happy I'm that close already," he said. "But it's exciting times ahead for me. Winning so many tournaments and playing so well, obviously I do believe I can win the grand slams.

"But I know the difficulty of the French Open and the focus will be a lot on Novak because he's going for four in a row and on Rafa because he's the defending champion. It's going to be an exciting tournament."

Date: 14.05.2012, Source: ESPN

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