Federer, Mauresmo hope to shake out nerves before Day 1

By Bill Scott May 27, 2006, 15:44 GMT

Paris - Roger Federer will be hoping that his pre-match tension dissolves on schedule Sunday as he begins the quest for a career-first title at the 14.3-million-euro French Open.

The world number 1 Swiss will face a showdown with hot rival Rafael Nadal if the top two men in the draw win through on schedule to finals day in a fortnight.

Meanwhile, Federer was awaiting a first-round opponent after his original draw Frenchman Arnaud Clement withdrew with a thigh muscle injury which has not completely healed.

Whomever he plays, Federer will have to be on his clay game from the start after intermittent wet weather over the last days at Roland Garros have turned conditions a bit slower than he would like.

Even as top seed, the Swiss admits to some nerves.

'Maybe there's a little bit of pressure, since this is the only Grand Slam that I haven't won,' he said.

'When you look at all the Grand Slams, it's all the same. You always feel sort of tense before your first match. You always hope you won't lose in the first round.'

Federer's only three defeats of this season have all come against Nadal - all in finals and two of those on clay this spring in Monte Carlo and Rome.

After a week in Paris training - with a day off to accept a second straight Laureus Sports award - the Swiss feels ready to go.

He will get his chance in the new-wrinkle Sunday start being tried for the first time.

'I'm very pleased with my level of play. It's also been good in practise. Obviously, warmer conditions would be better. I'm happy with the way that I'm playing and that's good.'

Nadal, who has opening day off, is aiming for a new record in tennis with his first-round match.

Should he get over Swede Robin Soderling, the 19-year-old Spanish defending champion would set a new record of 54 straight clay-court match wins. Guillermo Vilas set the mark of 53 in 1977.

Sunday will be the first test for women's top seed Amelie Mauresmo, the Australian Open champion who hopes to finally translate her success at home.

The French player, who lifted her first Grand Slam title in Melbourne in January, opens against American Meghann Shaughnessy.

But there can be no discounting the level of pressure on Mauresmo, who has never been past the quarter-finals in Paris.

Her lone clay event this year was Berlin. After pulling out ill from Rome, Mauresmo is hoping to work her way into form.

'I've not played so much, because I played a lot in the first two months of the season,' she said. 'I felt my mind and body needed a little rest.

'I need a few matches to get back to my level.'

Despite playing only one tune-up event on European clay this spring, women's defending champion Justine Henin-Hardenne tips herself as a repeat title candidate.

When it comes to Roland Garros, the Belgian fifth seed is driven.

She admits that it seems like only days since she lifted her fourth Grand Slam title in 2005 and second in Paris following a victory in 2003.

In between those triumphs, she suffered with injuries and from a virus which has come and gone over the past several seasons.

'It scares me a bit, things go by so fast,' said the 23-year-old. 'I have very special feelings here, it's different than any other tournament.

'I feel the greatest emotions here. It's always here that I want to play my best tennis.'