Federer remains a formidable threat in Wimbledon

Roger Federer has already reached targets and set standards which only a few may ever challenge, but to return to the final of the French Open in June 2011 was an assurance to him of where he stands and to everyone else in the game that he still represents a formidable threat.

When Federer beat Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals in Paris, he not only brought to an end a sequence of victories by the Serb totalling 43 matches stretching from last winter and into the early summer, but he may have seriously upset the balance at the very top of the game in which he believes he still has a major part to play.

Federer raised his racket arm in triumph, his index finger pointing to the sky, after defeating Djokovic and although he could not halt Rafael Nadal in the French final he has put on hold any further suggestions that his life at the top may be under threat.

"It was just important to get to another Grand Slam final," he said, "and to keep playing well. I am feeling better physically than I have for a long time, so that's been very positive."

Federer would not have enjoyed losing to Nadal as the Spaniard won the French title for a sixth time, but there were plenty of bonus points throughout his run at Roland Garros to underline that he is ready for Wimbledon, ready to end the misery of losing in the quarter-finals to Tomas Berdych last year after being in seven finals in a row.

Federer says of Wimbledon: "This is where it all started for me, in 2003, or even with Sampras in 2001, so that is why I always enjoy coming back. It's obviously a huge priority now, that is always for me number one goal for the season."

When Federer won over Sampras in the quarter-finals ten years ago, he had had two first-round losses at Wimbledon. But, inspired beyond all reasonable expectation, he took out Sampras in five sets, thus ending beyond any argument the 31-match winning streak which Sampras owned. For Sampras there was no coming back, then or any other year.

So where Sampras had stood, so did Federer. Sampras had won 14 Grand Slams and Federer eventually overtook him here at The Championships in 2009 with his 15th major, making him the all-time leader - a record which he extended to 16 with his Australian Open triumph in 2010.

So what now? Federer will be 30 on 8 August and will know that the clock may tick a little more urgently from that point, possibly affecting some of the factors in his make-up which have put him where he is in the game. Grand Slam titles have been won by men over 30 - the left-handed Australian Rod Laver did so twice at Wimbledon and the US Open in 1969 - but it remains a huge ask within the modern professional game.

Federer knows how to take care of himself and when he looks back on the 2011 French Open, can reflect that in beating Djokovic, he defeated the form player of the year in a Grand Slam semi-final and that he may now be back where he wanted to be.

But Federer also knows that the 2012 Olympic Games are just around the corner, and in tennis terms will be played out on the same Wimbledon courts where he has already earned his huge reputation. Of course Federer will be one year older when the Olympic medals are decided, but clearly he relishes the Olympic atmosphere and how it inspires people across all sports. He carried the Swiss flag at the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004 and again in Beijing in 2008. Thousands of other competitors loved the fact that one of the world's best tennis players was in their midst, day by day.

But the singles medals at the Olympics have not come Federer's way. In the humidity of Beijing it was Nadal who took the gold medal at his first attempt. Djokovic took the bronze. And Federer? He went home to Switzerland with a gold medal for the doubles, won with Stanislas Wawrinka after a great campaign.

So can Federer remain in shape, physically and mentally, for two more Wimbledon Championships, and one more shot at an Olympic medal? It is a challenge for which, at the moment, he seems more than well-equipped.

Date: 14.06.2011, Source: Wimbledon

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Federer will fancy Wimbledon chances

Roger Federer’s runner-up showing at this year’s French Open will have done much to restore the great man’s confidence after an indifferent start to 2011.

And the Swiss star will really fancy his chances of ruling supreme at Wimbledon once again this year, particularly as his rivals have so far failed to step up to the plate on the grass at Queen’s Club and Halle.

Federer’s decision to withdraw from the Gerry Weber Open this week certainly caused a fair amount of controversy and cast the 29 year-old into a bad light amongst tournament directors and a number of tennis fans.

However in deciding to once again take a  mini break from the sport, Fed could well have further boosted his chances of lifting a seventh title at SW19.

Following unexpected defeats to Jurgen Melzer and Richard Gasquet on the clay, Federer invested a fair amount of time on the practise court and took himself out of the spotlight to focus on how he could improve his game.

His resurgent form at the French Open demonstrated that he still has the ability to identify weaknesses in his game, but more crucially, that he still possesses the desire and hunger to rectify any problems and adapt his talents despite his ageing years.

Both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have swooped to overtake Federer in recent times, showing whole new levels of technical ability and fitness that have reaped the rewards in terms of Grand Slams.

But Federer still remains as the most naturally gifted grass court player in the world – and even when he has lost the Wimbledon title to Nadal, it has been largely down to the Spaniard’s excessive work rate and endurance rather than a case of being outclassed.

If Federer can successfully transform his Roland Garros form onto the grass, then he is still the man to beat at the All England Club.

Date: 12.06.2011

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Is less more for Roger Federer?

It was the third set of his French Open final against Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer was looking pretty good. He was likely thinking that Nadal was showing signs of tiring, while he still had some energy to burn.

Not bad for a 29-year-old playing a guy who just turned 25. True, the Spaniard had been doing more running in the match, but Federer had been through a long and arduous four-setter with Novak Djokovic a couple of days before.

Of course, we all know what happened in the fourth set -- Nadal clawed back from a 0-40 deficit in the first game to win six of the next seven games, romping home to his sixth French Open title.

Still, that third-set feeling was not something Federer expected coming into the tournament. In the three months leading up to the French Open, he played 24 matches in six tournaments, taking part in the Dubai tournament and the nonmandatory Monte Carlo Masters in addition to Masters events at Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and Rome. Last year, he played 14 matches in five events in this period.

"I was really tired after Rome," Federer told reporters in French after the final in Paris on Sunday. "Sometimes after Miami I'd take ten days off in the past, but this year I didn't.

"I've trained and practiced a lot after Monte Carlo. I decided to play Monte Carlo because I was fit. I played a lot from Dubai until Rome. I didn't take a longer break."

He arrived in Paris feeling the effects. "I hoped I could practice more here, but I was so tired that I said, 'OK, I'll practice just what is enough,'" he said. "I could never hear the alarm clock in the morning ringing, I was so tired.

"At the beginning of the tournament, I didn't think I could manage this way, but after two matches, I thought, OK, I feel better. I'm in the tournament."

The rest was (almost) history; a reminder of what the 16-time Grand Slam champion can still produce. And for Federer and his camp, perhaps an encouraging sign that doing "just what is enough" remains enough.

"Overall, I thought it [the final] was a very high level match," said Federer's co-coach, Paul Annacone, in an interview with ESPN.com. "Rafa, you have to give him credit. He did what he always does on clay. Makes you hit one extra ball, and puts the ball [in] parts of the court where it's very difficult to attack."

The win over Djokovic in the semifinals was even more satisfying. "Everyone's talking about how that's one of the highest level matches they've ever seen," Annacone added. "So, I feel good about it. And I think that proves he's still there, and he's worked really hard to stay there and maintain that level, so I don't think there's any reason why he can't keep repeating that."

The well-respected coach, who also saw Pete Sampras through the late stages of his career, challenges the assumption that Federer's age spells physical decline. "I think a lot of that is a fallacy, too," he said."The strength and conditioning people, if you talk to [them] -- at 29 years old, he can still do it. There's no question."

But, he added, "I think it's harder to do it for 40 weeks, over 11 months.

"The idea is to structure your schedule so you're playing your best tennis here, and in Wimbledon, New York, and you know, if you do that, things will go just right. So, it's a matter of trying to manage all that stuff, which he does really well."

Grand Slams also pose different challenges from regular tournaments because the matches are longer -- best-of-five sets rather than best-of-three -- but players get days off between matches because the event lasts two weeks instead of one. Recovery, not endurance, is often the biggest issue for players as they get older.

"It's better for the body to recover, but it's three out of five sets. So, it's a longer workload over a longer period of time," Annacone said of the Slams. "But it's always nice to have a day off."

Even with the day off and his comments about feeling physically good in the final, Federer felt his French Open campaign took enough of a toll for him to pull out of his regular grass-court event in Halle, Germany, this week. "My body and especially my groin need a rest after the French Open," he said in a statement. "After talking with my team this morning, I feel that it is too big a risk to take a chance and aggravate it before Wimbledon."

In an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper last month, Federer also indicated that he might pare down his schedule next season. After saying he opts to play nearly all the Masters events instead of more smaller events because "it's good for tennis," he added, "But I wonder if I'll be back at Indian Wells next year or go directly to Miami."

Federer, whose twin daughters are now almost 2, later continued, "I see myself mentally capable of playing for many years. … For me, it's just important to keep a balance between training, matches, holidays, family life."

With the ascendancy of Nadal and now Djokovic, Federer's mindset is also changing. For perhaps the first time since he became a top-flight player, Federer went into his semifinal against Djokovic saying he didn't have much to lose. "Sure, I'd love to be again in the Grand Slam final because I haven't achieved that in a few slams," he said. "But nothing major for me as long as I keep on giving myself chances."

This more selective and opportunistic approach means the tennis world might be seeing less of the Swiss maestro in the seasons to come. But, as at the French Open, less could turn out to be more.

Date: 08.06.2011, Source: ESPN

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5 times Halle Champion pulls out

Dear Fans

I've unfortunately decided to pull out of The Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany. I am very disappointed as its one of my absolute favorite tournaments on the ATP Tour, but my body, especially my groin, really needs a rest. After talking with my team this morning, I feel that its way to risky to take a chance on aggravating it even more before Wimbledon.

I send my very best wishes to all my fans in Halle, and again I am so sorry I can't go this year. But I will see you next year.

Yours,
Roger

Date: 07.06.2011, Source: RF Official

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Roger Federer turns focus to Wimbledon

Roger Federer fell one match short of winning his first Grand Slam title since the 2010 Australian Open, losing to World No. 1 Rafael Nadal Sunday at Roland Garros – the Spaniard claimed his sixth title in Paris with a 7-5, 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-1. But after a great two weeks of tennis on the red clay at Roland Garros, which saw Federer hand Novak Djokovic his first loss of the season in the semi-finals, the 29 year old has sent a message to his fellow competitors that he still possesses the game and drive to win another major title, or more. “It was just important to get to another Grand Slam final, keep on playing well,” Federer said Sunday. “I'm feeling better physically than I have in a long time, so that's been very positive.”

The Swiss, holder of 16 Grand Slam titles, was appearing in his first major final since defeating Andy Murray in the championship match at Melbourne Park last year, and was aiming to win his second title of the year after starting his season with a triumph in Doha. Having lost to Djokovic in three meetings this year prior to Friday’s semi-final victory, Federer is approaching the loss to Nadal with a positive outlook. “Today was a very good match. Overall obviously I'm very happy about the tournament,” assessed Federer.

“Also, after this sort of tough weekend I feel really good, so that's been positive, too.  Sure, it was a huge match with Novak. I'm happy about that win… Obviously you should be disappointed after losing in a Grand Slam final. I feel that a little bit today.”

Federer’s attention quickly shifts to the grass-court season, a stretch he’s dominated the past eight years, winning six Wimbledon crowns and five titles in Halle. It’s a part of the year the Swiss looks forward to most, with Wimbledon high on his list of priorities. “This is where it all started for me back in 2003; or even with Sampras earlier in '01. So that's why I always really enjoy coming back,” said Federer. “That's obviously the huge priority right now, to win Wimbledon in a few weeks time. That's always, for me, the sort of No. 1 goal of the season.”

Last year, the Swiss was surprised by Lleyton Hewitt in the Halle final, snapping a 15-match win streak against the Australian, a stretch spanning nearly seven years. Then, at Wimbledon, Federer failed to progress to the final at the All England Club for the first time since 2002 after bowing out to Tomas Berdych in the quarter-finals. The World No. 3 is slated to play in Halle and will square off against Hewitt in a blockbuster first-round match. Hewitt has struggled with injury all season long, playing just four tournaments. The former World No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam champion last played at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in March, losing to Yen-Hsun Lu in the first round.

Date: 06.06.2011, Source: ATP

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Roger defeated in final

Roger was defeated 5-7, 6-7, 7-5 and 1-6 by Rafael Nadal in the final of the French Open today.

"It was an exceptional performance by Rafa. He's beaten me again. I'm sad but I am happy to play him," Roger said. "He is the best player on clay but I am proud of the way I have played over the last two weeks but I couldn't do enough against him. It was important to get into another grand slam final."

Roger started strong, breaking Nadal in the second game and taking a 5-2 lead. But it was just when Roger was serving for the set that Nadal found his rhythm and won the following five games to take the first set. The Spaniard continued to play almost without errors into the second set, but Roger managed to hold onto his service games and then break to level 4-4 - only to be broken again in return. Play was suspended for a few minutes due to rain - with Roger coming back onto the court to break Nadal and bring the set into a tie-break - which Roger unfortunately clearly lost.

Roger seemed to change his game in the third set and was at his best at 5-5 to go on and book the set onto his account. He continued well into the fourth set and had several break-points, but it was Nadal who made use of the chances he was given and left no doubt that he wanted the match to come to an end.

Roger will now open the grass court season this week at the tournament in Halle (GER).

Date: 06.06.2011, Source: RF Official

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Federer, Nadal anticipate "Special" final

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will meet for the eighth time in a Grand Slam final when they contest the Roland Garros championship match on Sunday in Paris. Nadal has won five of those matches and leads their overall FedEx ATP Head2Head 16-8.

“I am happy to play against Federer, because it is always an honour to play against the best player in history. Playing against him always represents something very special,” declared Nadal in his pre-final press conference on Sunday. “I know I have to play at my highest level to have chances to win, because he is playing fantastic. After the victory of yesterday he must feel very confident.”

“It always seems to me that Rafa needs to be in a French Open final to make it special, and I got the match I guess I was hoping for,” said Federer after his extraordinary semi-final win over Novak Djokovic on Friday evening. “After beating Novak, it's in a way a gift that I get the chance, and I'm looking forward to it.”

It will be the pair’s first meeting in a major final since the 2009 Australian Open, when Nadal prevailed in five sets. They will clash in the Roland Garros title match for the fourth time after Nadal defeated Federer in three successive finals from 2006-2008. In 2008 Federer was handed his worst ever defeat, in terms of games won, as Nadal triumphed 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 in the most one-sided Roland Garros final since 1977.

“I'm happy I never got sort of a letdown just because he has beaten me here and just that I never stopped believing,” said Federer. “That's why I got the Roland Garros [title] in 2009, which remains one of my most special wins, really, in my career. And I have another opportunity to beat Rafa here and get the French Open title. I've got to play some extraordinarily special tennis.  I'm aware of that.”

The 29-year-old Federer is chasing his 17th Grand Slam championship and his first since the 2010 Australian Open (d. Murray). Having already broken the Open Era record in the men’s game, the Basel native has now set his sights closing the gap on the five female players who have won more major singles titles than him.

At the age of 25, Nadal is bidding to equal Bjorn Borg’s record and become just the second man in history to win six titles on the Parisian clay. The Spaniard has a staggering 44-1 record at Roland Garros, winning titles from 2005-2008 and again in 2010; his lone loss came at the hands of Robin Soderling in the 2009 fourth round.

“All I know is that I need to play my tennis; to play very well, to strike perfect shots each time, so that I can have all possible opportunities to win and make him realise that it's not going to be easy to play against me.”

Despite Federer’s victory over Djokovic in the semi-finals, Nadal’s position atop the South African Airways 2011 ATP Rankings remains on the line in Sunday’s final. Nadal will retain the No. 1 spot if he wins, but will be usurped by Djokovic should Federer triumph.

ESPN's preview: Patrick McEnroe breaks down the French Open Final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.



Date: 04.06.2011, Source: ESPN and ATP

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Federer snaps Djokovic's winning streak; Plays Nadal in blockbuster final

Third seed and 2009 titlist Roger Federer ended Novak Djokovic's 41-match unbeaten streak in 2011 with a 7-6(5), 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(5) win over the second seed on Friday for a place in the Roland Garros final.

Federer now has a 175-0 record after winning the first two sets of a Grand Slam championship match. The Swiss superstar will next meet his long-time Spanish rival, World No. 1 Rafael Nadal, the five-time champion. Nadal will remain World No. 1 if he beats Federer in Sunday's final. A Federer victory will see Djokovic rise to No. 1 in the South African Airways 2011 ATP Rankings for the first time.

 "I really wanted to make it as physical as possible, which I was able to make happen," Federer said of his win, which snapped a three-match losing streak against Djokovic. "I was really happy with the way I played. I thought it was a great match from both sides."

The 29-year-old Federer has advanced to his 23rd Grand Slam championship final (16-6 overall) and his first since winning the 2010 Australian Open (d. Murray). Federer beat Robin Soderling for the 2009 Roland Garros title, having finished runner-up to Nadal in 2006-08. "I have another opportunity to beat Rafa here and get the Roland Garros title," Federer said. "I've got to play some extraordinarily special tennis. I'm aware of that. But I obviously took a huge step today, and hope I can get everything together for the final."

Federer converted just four of 25 break point opportunities against Djokovic. It will be a ratio he'll be looking to improve versus Nadal. In the 2007 final, Federer converted one of 17 opportunities in a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 loss.

There were four breaks of serve through the first seven games. The standard of tennis was exceptional in the 70-minute opener. Federer saved two set points at 4-5 through clever service placement. The set was decided by a tie-break. Federer took a 4-2 lead, but two mis-timed forehands took second seed Djokovic to 5-4. But Federer recovered and converted his first set point chance at 6-5 when Djokovic hit a forehand into the net. Federer hit 18 winners to 14 for Djokovic.

Federer opened up a 4-1 lead in the 45-minute second set as he began to win the mental battle. Djokovic, somehow, saved four break points in the sixth game and four set points to hold for 3-5. Federer remained cool on serve, saving one break point with an ace in the next game. When Djokovic hit a backhand into the net on set point, the Serbian could only look up to his coach Marian Vajda and shake his head.

Maybe he knew about Federer's record in winning the first two sets in major play? Certainly, Djokovic looked as if he wanted to snap that streak when Federer's level dipped slightly early in the third set. The World No. 2 took a 3-0 lead by reclaiming control of baseline rallies. He survived two gutsy service holds before clinching the 37-minute set with a hold to love.

With barely one hour of daylight left, the fourth set began. Djokovic fought back from 0/30 at 2-3, just as Federer looked to be hitting peak form again. At 4-4, Federer could not hit a first delivery into court. Finally on the 14th point of the game, Djokovic hit a deep return and Federer mis-timed a forehand into the net. The momentum switched back to Federer when he broke back for 5-5. Federer saved two break points in an edgy 11th game. Both players received a standing ovation as they walked to their chair.

Djokovic cancelled out Federer's early advantage in the tie-break. But from 3-3, Federer won three straight points including two aces. Djokovic saved two match points, but Federer closed out his 219th win at a major championship (219-31) with his 18th ace of the match at 9:37 p.m. local time. He now leads Djokovic 14-9 overall. "He played really good in the important moments," assessed Djokovic. "I congratulate him for a great performance. He really played well. We were, I think, part of a very good match, and it feels bad losing."

Federer hit 48 winners. Djokovic, who had been unbeaten in 43 matches since the Davis Cup final in December 2010, struck 40 winners including seven aces. He committed 41 unforced errors to 46 for Federer, who was the last player to beat Djokovic at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London in November 2010.

Date: 04.06.2011, Source: ATP

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Federer, Djokovic ready for highly anticipated clash

Reigning Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal summed up the highly anticipated semi-final clash between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. “The best player of the world today against the best player of history,” said the World No. 1. “It’s gonna be, in my opinion, a fantastic match.”

This marks the third straight Grand Slam tournament that Djokovic and Federer will be going head-to-head for a place in the final, but this one holds perhaps the most significance. A victory for Djokovic would extend his perfect season record to 42-0, tying John McEnroe’s record best season start. More importantly, it would see the 24 year old become the first player to break the seven-year stranglehold of Federer and Nadal atop the South African Airways ATP Rankings.

“I know [Djokovic] has a lot on the line,” said Federer, who first debuted at World No. 1 after winning the Australian Open title in 2004. “I’m looking forward to that match. I think we usually play pretty well against each other.”

Federer leads Djokovic 13-9 in the FedEx ATP Head2Head series (2-1 on clay), and holds the distinction as the last player to have beaten the Serbian. Since that loss in the semi-finals of last November’s Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, Djokovic has been won 43 straight matches – with three of those victories coming against Federer this season.

Djokovic has also won their past two Grand Slam encounters – saving two match points in a five-set thriller at last year’s US Open and cruising to a straight-sets win in Melbourne – to narrow Federer’s edge at majors to 4-3.

This, however, will be their first meeting at Roland Garros. Djokovic has never advanced beyond the semi-finals at the clay-court Slam, while Federer reached four consecutive finals from 2006-09, claiming the title after three runner-up finishes to Nadal.

Going into the semi-finals, the 29-year-old Swiss is the only player remaining who has yet to drop a set during the fortnight, despite having arguably the most difficult draw. Of the four semi-finalists, Federer was the only one to encounter three seeded players – No. 29 Janko Tipsarevic, No. 14 Stanislas Wawrinka, No. 9 Gael Monfils.

“It was a tricky draw and I’m happy that I made my way through to the semis,” he said. “I’ve never diverted from my plan of focusing on myself and I’m very happy with the way I’m playing. For me the plan is to try and take a step further and reach the final of the French Open.”

Djokovic’s biggest test came against 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro, whom he defeated in four sets in the third round.

When he takes the court against Federer, it will be his first match since Sunday’s fourth-round win over Richard Gasquet – courtesy of a walkover against Italian Fabio Fognini in the quarter-finals.

Djokovic downplayed the long layoff in an interview with John McEnroe, welcoming the break after a busy season. “I’ve played a lot of tennis, so I don’t think rhythm wise, I’m going to be affected,” he said.

Djokovic will be looking to reach his fifth Grand Slam final and Federer his 23rd. After reaching 18 of 19 Grand Slam finals between 2005 Wimbledon and the 2010 Australian Open, Federer has now gone four majors without contesting the title match – his longest drought since winning his first Wimbledon title in 2003.

“He’s a great player, a great champion,” said Djokovic. “But I’ve been playing the best tennis of my life, and I need to get out there and believe that I can win. That’s the only way I can get a positive outcome.”

Date: 03.06.2011, Source: ATP

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Federer sets blockbuster SF with Djokovic

Roger Federer will attempt to curb Novak Djokovic’s 43-match winning streak when the pair meets in a blockbuster semi-final clash at Roland Garros. Federer earned his place in the last four after ousting remaining French hopeful Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(3) on Tuesday in Paris.

The 29-year-old Federer is the last player to have beaten Djokovic, dismissing the Serb in straight sets in the semi-finals of the 2010 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in November. Since then, Djokovic has won seven successive tour-level titles and steered Serbia to victory in the Davis Cup final in December.

Federer leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head series 13-9, but since beating Djokovic in London has lost to him in their past three matches, including in straight sets in the Australian Open semi-finals in January.

The match holds extra significance for the 24-year-old Djokovic, who will rise to World No. 1 in the South African Airways 2011 ATP Rankings if he reaches the final in Paris.

Gusting winds led to difficult conditions at Roland Garros on Tuesday, but it was Federer who mastered the elements better to overcome Monfils and reach the semi-finals in Paris for the sixth time.

After recovering from a slightly slow start, in which the ninth-seeded Monfils broke to lead 2-1, Federer levelled at 3-3 before breaking again in the 10th game to take the first set as Monfils miscued a forehand wide. It was the Frenchman’s turn to recover an early break deficit in the second set, but Federer regained his lead in the sixth game courtesy of a Monfils double fault and went on to take a two-set lead.

With Monfils growing increasingly frustrated by the conditions, Federer capitalised on his momentum to break in the first game of the third set. However, a lapse in concentration from the Swiss proved costly as Monfils took advantage to level at 2-2 and found some of his best tennis throughout the set as he fended off Federer’s advances to force a tie-break. The Frenchman’s inconsistency proved his undoing in the tie-break, though, and a near-faultless Federer claimed victory in two hours and 34 minutes.

"Novak is been playing fantastic this season, so I know I have to play some of my best tennis," Federer said. "I have a couple of days to prepare for that and come up with a good game plan."

“Playing against him is always difficult. I knew the stakes were high. He’s young, he’ll have more opportunities. I have to take the few that I still have,” the 16-times grand slam champion, who won his only Roland Garros title in 2009, said courtside.

Date: 31.05.2011, Souce: ATP, Reuters

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