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Friday, 11 June, 2004
Halle Quarterfinal
By Gerry Weber Open Official Site
R. FEDERER/A. Clement 6-3, 7-5
An interview with: ROGER FEDERER
You both played very solid tennis today. Did you expect such a tough fight? Yes,
we both are generally serving very good, and Arnaud played even more
tricky than Youzhny or Johansson. He mixes forehand and backhand, plays
very good returns and makes more of these slice services. It´s very
very difficult to return against him, also he played great from the
baseline. All in all he’s very complete in his play. I wasn’t feeling
too good today, but that has to do with him probably. Fortunately I had
both times the chance to break him and I made it. So I’m happy that I
was able to play two strange sets. I’m pleased how consistent the
performance was.
What about your next opponent Jiri Novak? He’s
also tough to fight and plays similar like Clement today. He beat me on
grass last time we played on this surface, that was Wimbledon 1999. So
this is a kind of rematch tomorrow. He also plays great returns and is
very dangerous.
Compared with last year: How do you feel on grass? I
feel much better than last year when I had some difficult matches at
the beginning. I’m very satisfied with my baseline game, with my
returns and my service, also in practice. I’m feeling really good. If I
have this feeling in practice this is a very positive signal. But
I take care for tomorrow. I’m up now, it’ll be a pity if it is over
tomorrow.
It didn’t seem to strain you too much today, did it? No,
it wasn’t an easy win. I had to stay concentrated the whole time. I
felt physically not as good as yesterday, I had to adjust it mentally.
Both together, with physical and mental strength I should be able to
win tomorrow. The positive thing is that I had a low either against
Johansson or Youzhny, but there was no such today.
How would you rate the other semi? I haven’t
seen Fish on grass ever. But he’ll be very dangerous for Rainer. It’ll
be a tough match, I hope Rainer will succeed but he has to take care of
the service: Fish serves inscrutable, you cannot anticipate which
direction the ball will take before he actually hits the serve.
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