[nredman]

Originally posted by amsalpemkcus:
jealous?!!

yes... roddick has really disappointed me this year

[amsalpemkcus]

Originally posted by nredman:
yes... roddick has really disappointed me this year

Yes..I can understand, he has been having problems gettin it up, game level I mean.

[amsalpemkcus]

GO!!!! FEDERER!!!!!



-----------------------
Federer to meet Hewitt in Masters Cup final

Houston, TX (Sports Network) - World No. 1 Roger Federer of Switzerland and third-seeded Lleyton Hewitt each posted straight-set wins and advanced to Sunday's final at the lucrative 2004 Tennis Masters Cup.

The top-seeded Federer earned his spot in the title match after gutting out a marathon second-set tiebreak to post a 6-3, 7-6 (20-18) victory over fourth- seeded Russian Marat Safin at the Westside Tennis Club.

Hewitt, on the other hand, pasted second-seeded American Andy Roddick 6-3, 6-2 and won the final 20 points of the match to move into Sunday's final.

The 2004 year-end No. 1 and Champions Race winner Federer needed eight match points and saved seven set points in the second set before finally taking out the resilient Safin. Federer has now taken six of seven lifetime meetings with Safin, including all three this year.

Federer, who was the 2003 Masters Cup champion, has now won his last 22 matches against top-10 players. The 23-year-old has also claimed nine straight contests overall in Houston as he went a perfect 5-0 at the 2003 Masters Cup before closing out the tournament with a win over American Andre Agassi.

The Australian Hewitt trailed 2-1 in the second set before taking complete control as he did not drop another point en route to the easy win. Hewitt improved his career mark to 4-1 against the hard-serving Roddick, with the American's lone win coming earlier this year in a grass-court semifinal at London's Queen's Club.

Hewitt, 23, won the Tennis Masters Cup back-to-back in 2001 and 2002, finishing both of those years at No. 1. Hewitt, who can end the year No. 2 in the Champions Race if he beats Federer, has won an ATP-best 13 Masters Cup matches (13-4).

Federer, though, has beaten his counterpart in all five meetings this season, including a straight-set win in round-robin play earlier this week. Federer, who has split 14 career matches with the fiery Aussie, was also victorious over Hewitt in three of the four Grand Slams this year, including a three-set win in the final at the U.S. Open in September. The title in Flushing Meadows gave Federer his third major of the year and fourth Grand Slam championship in his last six tries.

On Sunday, Federer will go for his 11th title of 2004 and the 22nd of his illustrious career, while Hewitt will be in search of his fifth crown this year and the 24th of his career.

The winner of this season-ending $3.65 million event will pocket at least $1 million, while Federer would earn $1.52 million if he wins and goes undefeated.

11/20 17:30:56 ET

[lil'babykitten]

wow Federer is still going strong eh?

[spiky_dog]

i hope all of you tennis fans have read david foster wallace's "infinite jest"

[lavar78]

It's always enjoyable to watch him play, but I'm really glad Rog decided to get a new hairdo.

[nredman]

Originally posted by amsalpemkcus:
GO!!!! FEDERER!!!!!



-----------------------
Federer to meet Hewitt in Masters Cup final

Houston, TX (Sports Network) - World No. 1 Roger Federer of Switzerland and third-seeded Lleyton Hewitt each posted straight-set wins and advanced to Sunday's final at the lucrative 2004 Tennis Masters Cup.

The top-seeded Federer earned his spot in the title match after gutting out a marathon second-set tiebreak to post a 6-3, 7-6 (20-18) victory over fourth- seeded Russian Marat Safin at the Westside Tennis Club.

Hewitt, on the other hand, pasted second-seeded American Andy Roddick 6-3, 6-2 and won the final 20 points of the match to move into Sunday's final.

The 2004 year-end No. 1 and Champions Race winner Federer needed eight match points and saved seven set points in the second set before finally taking out the resilient Safin. Federer has now taken six of seven lifetime meetings with Safin, including all three this year.

Federer, who was the 2003 Masters Cup champion, has now won his last 22 matches against top-10 players. The 23-year-old has also claimed nine straight contests overall in Houston as he went a perfect 5-0 at the 2003 Masters Cup before closing out the tournament with a win over American Andre Agassi.

The Australian Hewitt trailed 2-1 in the second set before taking complete control as he did not drop another point en route to the easy win. Hewitt improved his career mark to 4-1 against the hard-serving Roddick, with the American's lone win coming earlier this year in a grass-court semifinal at London's Queen's Club.

Hewitt, 23, won the Tennis Masters Cup back-to-back in 2001 and 2002, finishing both of those years at No. 1. Hewitt, who can end the year No. 2 in the Champions Race if he beats Federer, has won an ATP-best 13 Masters Cup matches (13-4).

Federer, though, has beaten his counterpart in all five meetings this season, including a straight-set win in round-robin play earlier this week. Federer, who has split 14 career matches with the fiery Aussie, was also victorious over Hewitt in three of the four Grand Slams this year, including a three-set win in the final at the U.S. Open in September. The title in Flushing Meadows gave Federer his third major of the year and fourth Grand Slam championship in his last six tries.

On Sunday, Federer will go for his 11th title of 2004 and the 22nd of his illustrious career, while Hewitt will be in search of his fifth crown this year and the 24th of his career.

The winner of this season-ending $3.65 million event will pocket at least $1 million, while Federer would earn $1.52 million if he wins and goes undefeated.

11/20 17:30:56 ET

dude shut up...lock this stupid thread up...

[amsalpemkcus]

Rogi's got the first set....well, almost (goddamned rain)

[amsalpemkcus]

FEDERER IS THE GREATEST EVAR!!!





Federer defends Master Cup with 13th victory

MICHAEL A. LUTZ, AP Sports Writer

Sunday, November 21, 2004

(11-21) 19:38 PST HOUSTON (AP) --

Top-seeded Roger Federer won a record 13th straight final Sunday, beating Lleyton Hewitt 6-3, 6-2 in the title match of the ATP Masters Cup.

Federer, who beat his 23rd straight top-10 opponent, dominated the final tournament of the season just as he dominated most of 2004. He won his second straight Masters Cup and broke the record of 12 straight finals victories shared by Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe.

Federer, who earned $1,520,000, became the first player since Ivan Lendl in 1986-87 to win consecutive Masters Cup titles without losing a match. Federer also won his 22nd tournament since 2000, the most of any player in that time. Hewitt has 21.

Federer won his 74th match of the year, tying Andy Roddick for the tour lead.

Rain delayed the tournament through the week and it happened again Sunday. The start was delayed almost three hours and the first set lasted only 27 minutes, before rain stopped play with Federer leading 5-2.

Federer served flawlessly in the early going, missing only nine serves in the first set and hitting seven aces.

Federer broke in the second game at the second break point with a passing shot. Leading 4-1, Federer allowed Hewitt to escape another break point in the sixth game but Federer hit three straight errors and Hewitt held.

After the rain delay, Federer closed out the first set and broke Hewitt in the fifth game of the second set for a 3-2 lead. Hewitt won only four points after that, popping a service return beyond the baseline on match point.

The final was less memorable than Federer's semifinal victory over Marat Safin on Saturday when Federer won a record-tying 20-18 tiebreaker in the second set.

It was the third tiebreaker to reach 20-18 since the system started in 1970. It equaled tiebreaker victories by Bjorn Borg in a 1973 first round over Premjit Lall at Wimbledon and by Goran Ivanisevic against Daniel Nestor in the 1993 U.S. Open.

[amsalpemkcus]

Another Happy New Year for Federer begins indeed!!
Good to see he is back in the winning form after some injury scare!
Go!! Rogi!!



Got imslef a big sword! kewl!!!

----------------------
Federer clocks up another win
Swiss tennis star Roger Federer has breezed past Croatian Ivan Ljubicic to win the Qatar Open in Doha.

The Swiss has now won 14 straight finals and will bid to improve this record later in January at Australian Open.

The 23-year-old and world number one won 6-3, 6-1 on Saturday, the 23rd tournament victory of his career.

Federer played consistently well behind his strong serve and carved out good break opportunities.

He easily outclassed his sixth-ranked opponent, who also lost last year’s final.

"I am extremely happy to start the new year in such fine fashion," said Federer after his win.

"I am sure this win will give me great confidence going into the Australian

Open."

The tennis player, who comes from Basel, wins $142,000 (SFr168,000) in prize money.

The Doha win - which opened the 2005 season - comes after a highly successful 2004 for the Swiss, in which he won the Masters, the US and Australian Opens and retained his Wimbledon title.

Federer was without a coach throughout 2004, after parting company with Peter Lundgren in December 2003.

But the Swiss has now revealed that he has engaged the services of Australian Tony Roche as his new-part-time coach.

Roche has previously coached Ivan Lendl and Pat Rafter to the world number one spot and several grand slam titles.

swissinfo with agencies

[amsalpemkcus]

RAFTER, FEDERER REUNITE: - Hundreds of people crowded around Court 16 at the Australian Open on Saturday, and no wonder. The two players practising were Roger Federer and Pat Rafter, formerly Australia's favourite tennis son. Rafter, the two-time U.S. Open champion and twice Wimbledon finalist, retired from singles play about 18 months ago and is doing television commentary here.

He's also good friends with Tony Roche, who recently agreed to coach the top-ranked Federer. "Blast it past him, Pat," yelled one voice from the crowd. Both players laughed at the remark, and continued what appeared to be a leisurely session.

Rafter had a perfect 3-0 career record against Federer, but all the wins came well before Federer started his strong form that saw him win 11 tournaments last year, including three Grand Slam titles.

Rafter beat Federer twice in 2001 - on grass at Halle, Germany and on hardcourts at Miami. In 1999, Rafter defeated him in four sets at the French Open, doing something that seems improbable now - sending the Swiss player packing in the first round of a Grand Slam.

"I'm glad I retired when I did," Rafter said in a recent interview. "Roger has the potential to become the best all-around player we've ever seen."

http://www.tsn.ca/tennis/news_story....hubName=tennis
---------
anyone following the new tennis god in action down under?

[nredman]

Originally posted by amsalpemkcus:
RAFTER, FEDERER REUNITE: - Hundreds of people crowded around Court 16 at the Australian Open on Saturday, and no wonder. The two players practising were Roger Federer and Pat Rafter, formerly Australia's favourite tennis son. Rafter, the two-time U.S. Open champion and twice Wimbledon finalist, retired from singles play about 18 months ago and is doing television commentary here.

He's also good friends with Tony Roche, who recently agreed to coach the top-ranked Federer. "Blast it past him, Pat," yelled one voice from the crowd. Both players laughed at the remark, and continued what appeared to be a leisurely session.

Rafter had a perfect 3-0 career record against Federer, but all the wins came well before Federer started his strong form that saw him win 11 tournaments last year, including three Grand Slam titles.

Rafter beat Federer twice in 2001 - on grass at Halle, Germany and on hardcourts at Miami. In 1999, Rafter defeated him in four sets at the French Open, doing something that seems improbable now - sending the Swiss player packing in the first round of a Grand Slam.

"I'm glad I retired when I did," Rafter said in a recent interview. "Roger has the potential to become the best all-around player we've ever seen."

http://www.tsn.ca/tennis/news_story....hubName=tennis
---------
anyone following the new tennis god in action down under?

we all know you do, since this thread gets resurrected he wins anything

[amsalpemkcus]

Originally posted by nredman:
we all know you do, since this thread gets resurrected he wins anything

don;t forget to watch the agassi vs federer quaterfinal game!!

agassi says-

"Roger offers me the opportunity to push myself more than I've been pushed in a long time"

great come back by agassi though after losing the first set agains that big slug-serving johansson.

Federer has been silky smooth so far -

"I'm very happy. I've saved a lot of energy. It's like the tournament almost starts now for me, which is very good.

"I'm looking forward to tough matches coming up now but I'll try to look at the big picture and defend my title.
-----------------

Marat's hangin in there! He will be a handful for Federer this time for sure if they meet in the semis. Lundgren (ex coach of federer) is Marat's trainer these days and this should really help him understand federers game and come up with some strategy.

[i_rooster]

Agassi was easy meat!

6-3, 6-4, 6-4

Federer is a machine!!!!!

[nbnz]

Originally posted by i_rooster:
Agassi was easy meat!

6-3, 6-4, 6-4

Federer is a machine!!!!!

Just watched that match, it's ridiculous how easy Federer makes it look!
Extends his streak against top 10 players to 24-0.

[Mrjinglesusa]

Federer is on a completely different planet than anyone else in tennis right now. It truly is amazing to watch.

50 more to go!

[lavar78]

Federer destroyed Agassi. Who could've predicted that?

Oh, wait... everyone predicted that. Still, it was great to see. For some reason, I have a suspicion he's going to beat Nalbandian in the final.

[spiky_dog]

no final for federer:

http://sport.independent.co.uk/tenni...p?story=605274

How to beat Roger Federer? The question that has been consuming top players was finally answered by the brilliant and mercurial Marat Safin well after midnight yesterday, but only after four hours and 28 minutes and seven match points.

The extraordinary match will take its place among the classics, and its outcome has turned the men's game on its head. The Swiss world No 1 won four of the last six Grand Slams, and had not lost a tie since the Athens Olympics. In his five previous rounds here at Melbourne Park, he had not dropped a single set.

Safin took him to five sets, kept his cool and outplayed the most talented man since Pete Sampras.

[lavar78]

Clearly, amsalpemkcus jinxed Federer by getting baninated.

I hope Safin can follow up with another win. I don't want to see Hewitt or Roddick win.

[nbnz]

Originally posted by lavar78:
Clearly, amsalpemkcus jinxed Federer by getting baninated.

I hope Safin can follow up with another win. I don't want to see Hewitt or Roddick win.

Federer is human after all
I definately don't want to see Hewitt win, he's a prat.
Hope it's a Roddick-Safin final - I'll be rooting for Safin!

[jbartone]

CMONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!

I'll be cheering for LLEYTON HEWITT in tomorrow nights final!

[Albert Pujols]

Originally posted by lavar78:
Clearly, amsalpemkcus jinxed Federer by getting baninated.

I hope Safin can follow up with another win. I don't want to see Hewitt or Roddick win.

I like the way you think! I hate Hewitt and Roddick, argh..

I hope Safin destroys Hewitt, I just want to see all thoes Australians cry.

[lavar78]

Originally posted by Albert Pujols:
I like the way you think! I hate Hewitt and Roddick, argh..

I hope Safin destroys Hewitt, I just want to see all thoes Australians cry.

I love Australia in general (they helped give me Crowded House, so I'm eternally grateful), but Hewitt seriously bugs. Roddick isn't much better.

Sadly, it almost feels like the stars are aligning for Hewitt. He had no chance at beating Federer, but you never know what Safin will do. I'm confident he can do the job, but it'll be tough.

Check this out: if Safin wins, it'll be the 5th straight Grand Slam that Hewitt has lost to the eventual champion.

[Albert Pujols]

Originally posted by lavar78:
I love Australia in general (they helped give me Crowded House, so I'm eternally grateful), but Hewitt seriously bugs. Roddick isn't much better.

Sadly, it almost feels like the stars are aligning for Hewitt. He had no chance at beating Federer, but you never know what Safin will do. I'm confident he can do the job, but it'll be tough.

Check this out: if Safin wins, it'll be the 5th straight Grand Slam that Hewitt has lost to the eventual champion.

I don't have a problem with Australians, except for those annoying Hewitt fans. Roddick is a baby, all he does is whine. Hewitt is just a jerk. I don't like him at all.

[jbartone]

I love Hewitt.

How can you NOT like his CMONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNs!?

[lavar78]

Originally posted by jbartone:
How can you NOT like his CMONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNs!?

Because they're obnoxious and annoying.

[Albert Pujols]

Originally posted by lavar78:
Because they're obnoxious and annoying.

the "lawn mower" is even worse. Makes me want to

[Webscreamer]

First of all, i'm a huge Federer fan. Nobody has a complete game and form like that. Safin played a great match and deserved to win then.

Hewitt is a cocky jerk off that wants to look like a bad ass. Kind of sick and tired of his attitide. He should take lessons from Federer.

Should be a great final.

What time is it on and station for Central Standard Time, and what day?

[lavar78]

Originally posted by Webscreamer:
What time is it on and station for Central Standard Time, and what day?

Sunday morning at 3:30 EST (2:30 CST) on ESPN2 IIRC. They only recently decided to show it live, so it may not be in the guide data.

[spectre]

The only player I like out of the top 4 is Federer (who is incredible to watch and has a great attitude), but now that he's out.. I don't know who to cheer for Hewitt can get annoying with his 'double lawnmowers' and 'come-ooooons!' but it is, in a sense, part of what makes him a good player. I figure Safin, if he plays even close to the level he played against Federer, will win easily.

[Webscreamer]

Originally posted by lavar78:
Sunday morning at 3:30 EST (2:30 CST) on ESPN2 IIRC. They only recently decided to show it live, so it may not be in the guide data.

So 2:30AM CST?

I heard it will be live on ESPN at 11:00AM CST? Dunno which one is correct now...

[lavar78]

Originally posted by Webscreamer:
So 2:30AM CST?

I heard it will be live on ESPN at 11:00AM CST? Dunno which one is correct now...

The 11:00AM CST showing is tape delayed.

[i_rooster]

Originally posted by lavar78:
Because they're obnoxious and annoying.

Hewitt shure is a moron if he is gonna say those cmons when his opponent makes silly unforced errors!!

[Albert Pujols]

SAFIN IS THE MAN!

[jbartone]

Originally posted by Albert Pujols:


the "lawn mower" is even worse. Makes me want to

What's wrong with it? I love it. And the cmons!

And the cmons are "obnxious and annoying" Puh-leeeese, why does everyone want tennis to be a pussy, boring, emotionless sport?


I'm not that upset (but I still am to a degree, being an Aussie and all) that Safin won. He deserved it in the end. Good work. Funny guy. I'm glad that he won it instead of Federer, that boring emotionless...guy.

[lavar78]

Originally posted by jbartone:
And the cmons are "obnxious and annoying" Puh-leeeese, why does everyone want tennis to be a pussy, boring, emotionless sport?

A better question: why do you want it to be classless and immature? Again, I couldn't care less if Hewitt screams "c'mon" after every great shot he hits. The problem comes when he celebrates an opponent's mistake. Tennis isn't boring or emotionless, but it's somewhat unique in that sportsmanship is important and expected. Hewitt is so frequently overmatched physically that he has to resort to gamesmanship.

I'm not that upset (but I still am to a degree, being an Aussie and all) that Safin won. He deserved it in the end. Good work. Funny guy. I'm glad that he won it instead of Federer, that boring emotionless...guy.

Federer is neither boring nor emotionless. He's actually quite engaging and funny in interviews. Regardless, Hewitt better hope someone beats Federer at every tournament, because he can't do it himself.

I'm thrilled Safin won. He played a great match. I'm even more thrilled Hewitt lost. Punk.

[i_rooster]

Originally posted by lavar78:


I'm thrilled Safin won. He played a great match.

Its the way he hits consistently those shots, lots of power and depth, he mixes it up as well. I think if he doesnt lose his head and yank his shorts down after winning a point or something like and lose his head or mental stability during games he is going to make a great rival for Federer. I think hiring Lundgren as a coach was bangon idea for his game and composure.

[amsalpemkcus]

yay! he is back on the saddle after that loss in australian open! (damn! tooki!!!) Anyway, Go!! Federer!!!

“Federer’s the kind of guy that as soon as he lost at Australia, he was setting his sights on the French Open (which begins in May),” McEnroe said.

“He’s the sort of guy that immediately starts looking toward the next major.

“The loss will make him hungrier. I think it will motivate him even more. And that’s a scary thing for the rest of the field.

Sun, February 27, 2005

Federer in final

By AP

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Roger Federer of Switzerland thrashed American Andre Agassi 6-3, 6-1 in the Dubai Open semifinals yesterday and will meet Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia for the title. Federer, the two-time defending Dubai champion, will play eighth-seeded Ljubicic only a week after edging the big-serving Croat in the Rotterdam final. Last month, Federer downed Ljubicic in the Doha final.

It will be Ljubicic's fourth final of the year. He has yet to win one.

[nredman]

[amsalpemkcus]

Originally posted by nredman:
http://www.whatonearthcatalog.com/graphics/products/regular/AP5711G.jpg

[sugar_coated]

Federer is a good tennis player.

[amsalpemkcus]

Just for the 'nn records Federer won his third Dubai title a few days ago.



Roger Federer beat Croatia's Ivan Ljubicic 6-1, 6-7, 6-3 to win his third consecutive Dubai Open title.

The Swiss world number one has now played 16 straight finals without defeat, stretching his own record.

Sunday's title showdown was a replay of the final the pair played in Rotterdam last week, which Federer won in a third-set tiebreak.

But in Dubai it looked as if the top seed would this time sweep to victory in under an hour as he dominated the opening set and sped to a 3-1 lead in the second before eighth seed Ljubicic began to offer any real competition.

"I really wanted to get off to a good start this time, and I did, and I could really play with confidence while he still looking for his rhythm," Federer said.

"That took me all the way through to 6-1, 3-1, 0-30 on his serve and I almost ran away with it. But he came back, and that was a good effort on his side."

The Croat levelled the second set at 4-4 and saved a match point at 6-5 in the tiebreak before eventually claiming it 8-6.

After an early exchange of breaks in the deciding set, Federer broke with a forehand winner to lead 5-3 and served out for victory.

Ljubicic, with 20 victories, had won more matches than any other player on the ATP Tour until Federer equalled his total in the final. And he looked as if he had hit the wall as he struggled to put his game together.

[] Usual fire-power: The eighth seed failed to find his usual fire-power on his serve and made countless backhand errors, and Federer was not called upon to do anything out of the ordinary as he built a commanding lead.

It is a credit to the Croatian that he pushed the match to a third set and Federer said he had found it difficult to control his emotions after Ljubicic edged that tiebreak.

"It was just disappointing, after having match point and being up all the time, and he just catches you in the last bit and you have to go into extra time," said Federer.

"I think mentally it's quite an effort to stay quiet because the crowd's getting into it. In the end it was a real dog-fight."

Ljubicic was at a loss to explain his early collapse. "I didn't start badly, but then suddenly I felt like my racket was loose and the balls were flying a little bit too much. And with Roger, if you relax for a second it just goes very quick," he said.

[amsalpemkcus]

He does it again!!!



------------------------------------------
Simply sensational: Federer wins another title

Indian Wells, CA (Sports Network) - World No. 1 Roger Federer of Switzerland powered by Australian Lleyton Hewitt in straight sets on Sunday to capture his second straight title at the prestigious Pacific Life Open.

Federer blasted the second-seeded Hewitt 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 in a mere one hour and 53 minutes to claim his 26th title and fourth of the young season.

The 23-year-old Federer recorded five service breaks and fired up 14 aces, compared to his overmatched opponent who only broke one time and served five aces in the match.

Federer, who pocketed $421,000 for the title, extended his ATP record by winning his 17th consecutive final. Federer, who also surpassed $15 million in career earnings, is a sizzling 26-1 on the year, with his only loss coming in the Australian Open semifinal where he lost to eventual champion Marat Safin in five grueling sets.

Since the Summer Olympics last summer, Federer is now 42-1 and has captured seven of the eight tournaments he has entered.

Federer, who also won at Indian Wells in 2004 after beating Tim Henman in the final, has now won five ATP Masters Series titles, while also winning the Masters Cup in back-to-back years.

Hewitt, who has now dropped seven straight meetings with the mighty Federer, fell to 22-5 in this event. He won back-to-back titles here in 2002 and 2003.

The 24-year-old Hewitt, who has posted runner-up finishes in the last two major finals, was seeking his 25th career singles crown and second of the year.

The Pacific Life Open is the first of nine Masters Series events in 2005.
---------
Interview
---------
Q. Where are you going to put that trophy?

ROGER FEDERER: Not sure. Not sure if I get it actually. It's so big. I don't know how it is for traveling.

Q. Did you get the other one?

ROGER FEDERER: Not that I know. You get the Masters Series shield, Waterford Crystal. I guess this is for the pictures, that's my feeling.

Q. You're playing so well right now. What drives or motivates you to continue on from where you are right now?

ROGER FEDERER: I don't know. I have no problem for motivation, of course. It's always been my dream to be the best, really. Now I am, so I'm enjoying it. The more victories you can get, the better you feel.

I'm very happy with this week. You know, I've been playing great tennis. Didn't lose a set. It really shows. I mean, I don't want to say I bounced back after Dubai, because I won that event, but I was really struggling with the rhythm over there. It was tough. You know, back-to-back tournaments, Rotterdam and Dubai, I really needed a break. South Africa was very important. You can see it here. It paid off.

Very happy it did. Now I'm looking forward to Miami, of course.

Q. It seems like, except for Safin, you don't have any great rivals right now. You've beaten Lleyton seven times in a row. He's only won two out of 27. He's a guy a couple years ago you had trouble. When you go out against the elite players, motivation-wise, what gets you going?

ROGER FEDERER: I don't quite agree it's only Marat, you know, he's got a chance just because he beat me last time. I have a great record against him, as well. Don't forget that, please (smiling).

I think Lleyton wasn't at his best today. I felt that very clearly, very quickly, as well. I was definitely using that to my advantage. So who knows, if Lleyton would have been better off today, it would have been a very different match, I think.

I have great respect for him, playing all the way through the match, because I really had the feeling he was hurting, and he had to change up his game to actually have a slight chance today, and he did. That's a lot of credit to him. You know, he's a great, great fighter. I like playing him.

Q. Do you know about his toe?

ROGER FEDERER: I haven't seen it, but I know about it, yeah. I didn't know it was the toe during the match, but I saw he was struggling, something with his foot or his leg. I don't know, that's maybe also something I'm good about. I see very quickly when my opponent has got some sort of a problem.

It definitely changed the setup to the match, you know, because normally against him, you really want to go -- he wants to get into the long rallies with me, make you work extremely hard. Then he had times again when he's just teeing off, and that's not the Lleyton I know. I got that feeling very quickly, and I just had to really focus on my serve.

Q. Was it early in the first set?

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah. Midway through the first set, I started feeling like he's got some sort of a problem.

Q. People have been very quick to talk about Grand Slams, greatest player. You've defrayed that pretty well. 17 tournaments in a row, a record by some margin, that has to be a record that means something.

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, all the finals in a row, that's fantastic. I didn't have a great record in the beginning of my career in finals. I lost more than winning them. I remember I had a good record in Juniors, as well. I was very disappointed to have a bad one in the beginning of my pro career.

Somehow I turned it around. Of course, now more and more I start thinking about it. It puts pressure on yourself. Plus, you know, always the last couple of finals I've played, except the Ljubicic finals, many other Top 10 players, like Marat, Andy and Lleyton, that added another pressure on top of it because I had such a great record against Top 10 players, and I still have. Today I was playing for a lot of things. To come through, it's very special, especially the first Masters Series of the year.

Q. Are you slightly disappointed not to have won that point, being a perfectionist?

ROGER FEDERER: I'm happy I lost it. No, it was a great point, one of my best in my life. During a final against Lleyton, you know, that is fantastic. That it ended up the way it did, it was a winner from his or my racquet, whatever, was great. That it didn't finish off in an error, I think that made it special. It was also a breakpoint, adding on top of it. We were both tired I think after that rally.

Q. The reaction of the crowd?

ROGER FEDERER: It was good. Standing ovation. It's fantastic. That was an unbelievable point.

Q. Do you realize during playing the point that it's an unbelievable one? Do you have two things in your mind, playing the point and realizing at the same time it's not a point like the other one? During the point, do you realize it's not a normal point, or you're so focused?

ROGER FEDERER: It started off normal, you know, just a regular rally, backhand cross-court, a couple of good shots. Crowd got into it. He starts dropshotting. You're like, "Okay, this is getting interesting." He gives me the lob. I just run back and I hope I stay in the rally. Hit a good lob. He gets an unbelievable angle on his, kind of an overhead. This is when you really know, "This is my chance to win the point." It starts all over again. You have to run back.

I really got surprised the way I got the second one back, back towards the net. I really knew on the last forehand on the run, "This is my last chance because I'm not coming back after this forehand." It was a 50/50 chance for him, and he took the right side. I hit it well. He could have missed it. He did well. That was a fantastic point, a lot of fun.

Q. Playing with your back to the net, was that your --

ROGER FEDERER: He was moving backward. I had to put the ball over quick enough to get it low. I was surprised with the result. I know I can play that shot, so...

Q. Everything going so perfectly right now. Obviously you're avoiding the question about the Grand Slam records. Is there any unfinished business before you start focusing on breaking some Slams?

ROGER FEDERER: No, for me every tournament is important. Of course, Grand Slams are the big stage. But for me this tournament is huge, as well. Then you have tournaments close to your heart. Other ones you want to win. So definitely it would be nice, you know, to win the French and complete I would say the Grand Slam. But to get the chance to win all four in a row, you know, let's say in one year, you have to wait another few months.

That maybe, you know, is good that we don't talk about that too much. That is not something I'm really aiming for, to break somebody's record on Grand Slams. If it happens, it's extraordinary. But if it doesn't, you know, I still believe I'm having a good career so far, still far away from actually hanging up the racquet against the wall and walking away from tennis.

Still got a lot of tennis left in me. I just hope I'm still healthy. Then I can maybe break a couple of records, we'll see.

Q. What records are out there that impress you?

ROGER FEDERER: I mean, like what Borg did at Wimbledon, how many times Pete finished No. 1 in the world, yeah. The best of the best, so.

Q. Are there any that you'd like to have a chance to chase?

ROGER FEDERER: No, not really, no.

Q. Does Andre's record of winning all four slams on four different surfaces, how impressive is that? Is that something you'd like to achieve?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, I think the way he did it was quite amazing. You know, he never thought he will win Wimbledon with his game, because by then you had the big servers. I think it was his first Grand Slam he won, so that's unbelievable. And in the end where everybody thought it was over, he came back and won the French, being down two sets to love. Kind of maybe a little bit of a surprise to him as well that he actually won all four. But he did well by doing it.

It really is something for the history books, you know, if you can win all four because you have so many - how should I say - experts on all surfaces, maybe except the grass really because we hardly ever play on it. But it's so tough to win always on clay or just on the hard courts. The conditions also make it tough, you know, to win them all. Sometimes just luck on one tournament, you've won it, and you never have to think about it again. Some, it never seems like it's going to happen. We'll see at the end.

[nredman]

i really want to photoshop that picture.

[ASIMO]

Originally posted by nredman:
i really want to photoshop that picture.

Beat you to it:

[ShortcutToMoncton]

Federer always amazes me with how...I don't want to say cocky, but perhaps extremely perceptive of his own talents? Hahaha, perhaps it's the reason why he's able to mostly coach himself (along with his girlfriend)? He knows how good he is, and what he's able to do. I respect that.



greg

[nredman]

Originally posted by ASIMO:
Beat you to it:

i was thinking more along the lines of turning the trophy into a big dildo.

f federer </end jealously)

[spectre]

Federer seems almost unbeatable these days. In almost all sports I cheer for the underdog, but for some reason, I just can't route against this guy. Probably because his tennis is just so nice to watch.

[amsalpemkcus]

Federer downs Nadal in five-set dogfight




Swiss superman Roger Federer rallied from two sets down to subdue Spanish teenager Rafael Nadal 2-6, 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 6-1 and win the ATP Masters Series title at Key Biscayne, Florida this morning.

Federer, the world number one who claimed his fifth title of the year, extended his 2005 record to 32-1, but Nadal made him work every step of the way.

"I really didn't expect to turn it around," admitted Federer after the three hours 42 minutes marathon. "I haven't dug out many matches in my career. I'm extremely happy, and exhausted.

"What a pity for him," Federer added with a flash of empathy. "But we'll see much more from him I'm sure."

Eighteen-year-old Nadal, appearing in his first Masters Series final and bidding for the first hard court title of his career after four triumphs on clay, broke Federer for a 3-1 lead in the third set.

Federer had a chance to return the favour in the next game, and berated himself when he hit a forehand long.

"I'm hoping it's not going to be over in two games," Federer said of his feelings at that point. "I felt I was missing my opportunities to get back in the match.

"I really was hoping just to stay with him, then I got back, played a few really good games and pushed him to the tiebreaker. That set was crucial, of course."

Federer did break back in the seventh game to narrow the gap to 4-3, and held for 4-4.

Federer had another break opportunity in the ninth game, but Nadal saved it with a winner on his second serve, and when Nadal held his serve for 5-4 the normally mild-mannered Federer slung his racquet in disgust.

"I was very disappointed," Federer said. "I was missing one opportunity after another. I was climbing uphill all the time. I just had enough. I threw it hard, maybe it did me good, who knows?"

"Of course it's surprising to see Federer throwing his racquet, but it makes you think you're closer to victory," Nadal said.

Despite Federer's obvious frustration, he kept Nadal at bay in the third-set tiebreaker. The Spaniard led 5-3, but that was as close as he came to a match point as Federer won the next four points to claim the set.

Federer won the fourth set in just 30 minutes, never facing a break point, and in the fifth Nadal looked weary as Federer claimed the last five games of the match.

He said it was emotional fatigue as well as physical.

"It was a little of both," Nadal said. "When you get to that point, and you're playing against the best player in the world, it's tough mentally."

Nadal, who beat Federer 6-3, 6-3 in the third round at Key Biscayne last year in their only previous meeting, had again appeared to have the Swiss player's number as he claimed the first set without facing a break point.

"I was very worried today, especially the first set. I don't lose sets very often 6-2," Federer said. "I was struggling. It's got a lot to do with his game."

The two traded breaks in the opening game of the second set, but Federer appeared to be finding his range when he broke Nadal in the fourth then held his serve to love to lead 4-1.

He seemed to lose momentum after a shocking error in the eighth game, however, when he slammed an overhead into the court on his own side of the net.

Nadal held serve in that game, and when Federer served for the set in the next, the Spaniard broke him.

Federer still had two chances to close out the set in the 10th game, but Nadal fought off both break points as they went to the tiebreaker.

Nadal led 3-1 and then 6-2 in the tiebreaker, but Federer held off one set point with an ace and another with an angled forehand that Nadal could only smack into the net. Nadal finally closed out the second set when Federer netted a forehand.

"To come through in the end is unbelievable," said Federer, who had a 7-8 record in five-setters and had come back from two sets to love deficit twice before in his career.

"I've hardly ever done it in my career," he said. And against a player of this calibre, it's not the normal thing that I'm doing."

Federer claimed his second straight title in the Masters Series, after defending his title at Indian Wells, California, earlier this month.

He became the first top seed to win in Miami since Pete Sampras beat Andre Agassi in 1994, and in doing so preserved a winning streak in finals that stretches back to July 2003, when he lost to Jiri Novak in the title match in Gstaad shortly after claiming his first Wimbledon title.

-AFP

----------------------

Close shave though! Although I suspect he may have toyed with the n00b...

[ASIMO]

What took you so long, amsal?

Sensational game, that kid. Needs to work on endurance and serve, though.