Federer aims to win physical battle with Nadal
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-06-01 10:28

World number one Roger Federer believes he will have the physical edge over French Open title rival Rafael Nadal when the two clash in an explosive Roland Garros semi-final showdown.

Federer lost to his 18-year-old Spanish rival in their first meeting at the Miami Masters in 2004 but when they met again in the final at the same venue earlier this year, Federer mounted a stunning comeback.

Switzerland's Roger Federer reacts after winning his quarter-final match against Romania's Victor Hanescu in the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, May 31, 2005. Federer won 6-2 7-6 6-3. [Reuters]

The Swiss star was within two points of defeat that day but turned the final on its head by eventually triumphing in a five-set thriller.

"I had to fight my way back that day. I came through and I felt I was the fitter player," said Federer.

"He looked extremely tired in the fifth set and that kind of surprised me. Miami was a tough match. But that was on hard court, this is clay. The rallies will be even tougher."

Spain's Rafael Nadal returns the ball to compatriot David Ferrer during their quarterfinals match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, Tuesday May 31, 2005 in Paris. Nadal won 7-5, 6-2, 6-0.[AP]

Nadal, with five clay court titles under his belt already in 2005 and who celebrates his 19th birthday on Friday, is a superstar in the making with his muscular physique, his flamboyant dress sense and his game of all-out attack.

He is also bidding to become the first man since Mats Wilander in 1982 to win the French Open title on his debut.

There is no doubting he is the man in form, building up a 22-match winning streak but he's keen to put the focus back on the Swiss star.

"Federer is the favourite. He has all the pressure. He is the number one," said Nadal.

"He is the number one but I can win if I play my best tennis."

Federer believes that destiny is on his side as he tries to clinch an elusive French Open title which would make him just the sixth man in history to have claimed all four Grand Slams.

"For me it's a big moment. There are still two matches to go but it's one of those chances to maybe walk away with the title," said Federer.

He also believes he has made great strides in his clay court game since his disappointing third round loss to Gustavo Kuerten here in 2004.

"It's purely the experience, the big matches, the occasions I have faced. Overall I believe in my game more, not just my clay court game but my all of my game.

"We're not quite there yet. But to win the French Open would be a dream come true. It would mean I have won all the Grand Slams. At 23, that would be quite something."

Federer has already won two Wimbledon titles as well as one Australian Open and one US Open, but he has suffered in Paris with a quarter-final appearance in 2001 his best performance before this year's breakthrough.

In his last three visits, he has not got beyond the third round.

But many observers expect that the winner of Friday's eagerly-awaited clash will also emerge the champion on Sunday as the opposite half of the draw has been stripped bare of all its draw cards.

Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, Marat Safin, only one of two players to have beaten Federer in 2005, defending champion Gaston Gaudio and 2004 runner-up Guillermo Coria have all been knocked out.

That has left a quarter-final line-up which features Russia's Nikolay Davydenko against Tommy Robredo and Guillermo Canas taking on Mariano Puerta.

Federer and Nadal would comfortably fancy their chances of beating any of those opponents.

Federer hasn't lost a set at Roland Garros this year and has not looked in the remotest spot of bother as he has brushed aside claycourt specialists of the calibre of 1998 champion Carlos Moya and hard-hitting Fernando Gonzalez.

There is one aspect of Nadal's game which does concern him - the Spaniard is one of the few left handers of genuine class on the tour.

"We have two days break before the match and it gives me more time to prepare to play a lefty," said Federer.

"You have to get used to that. Two days is perfect."

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