Federer has high French Open hopes after Nadal win

By John Bagratuni May 21, 2007, 11:33 GMT

Hamburg - Roger Federer will enter the French Open starting on Sunday in the most confident mood possible.

Not only did the Swiss world number one end a rot of four tournaments without a trophy with the Hamburg Masters title on Sunday, he did so against the man who had dominated him and the whole clay court circuit in recent years.

Federer routed Rafael Nadal 2-6, 6-2, 6-0, ending the Spanish king of clay's unique streak on the surface after 81 wins.

'It was an incredible performance from my side,' said Federer. 'I go into the French Open very good, I am excited that the French Open are coming around.'

Federer has lifted 10 Grand Slam trophies at Wimbledon (four), the Australian Open (three) and US Open (three), but is yet to win in Paris. The closest he got was the final last year, losing to Nadal.

Now he makes a new approach after dramatically turning around a season that took a slide after he won the Australian Open and in Dubai early on.

Defeats in Miami, Indian Wells, Monte Carlo and Rome was the longest run since he became world number one in early 2004. The third-round loss in Rome prompted him to sack coach Tony Roche, who had worked with him since 2005.

'I have gotten over the worst. I have talked to Tony, to the media. Now I can concentrate again on what I love most,' Federer said in mid-week, revealing that the coaching issue was a burden for him.

'It is nice to be playing well after the last weeks' disappointment. The pressure was high, I wanted to start winning again,' he said on Sunday.

But Nadal, the 2005 and 2006 champion in Paris, said he was not discouraged by the defeat in the final match before the Paris Grand Slam.

'It doesn't matter, my confidence is good,' he insisted.

Former French Open winners Thomas Muster and Sergi Bruguera, in Hamburg for the veterans' Tour of Champions, were not sure whether the result will have an effect on the Paris fortnight.

'I don't think this has any influence on Paris. If they meet there in the final it would be a whole new ball game,' said Muster.

Muster said that the end of the streak could also be a relief for Nadal: 'Maybe it brings Rafa back to earth and it might be good for him.'

Bruguera saw a slight edge for Federer.

'For sure, in the mind of Roger, this will influence the French Open. With this win, especially 2-6, 6-2, 6-0, it is going to help Roger in his mind. The French Open is another tournament, another situation, another story, but it is good for Roger that he won today,' Bruguera said.

He also said: 'Before, everyone thought the French Open would be easy for Rafa, but now it is going to be very interesting.'

After all, it was Federer's first win in six attempts against Nadal on the dirt.

'I am very happy that I finally played well and in the right way against him. I believed in it last night, today also. I needed a kick and the feeling was perfect,' said Federer.