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Sunday, 23 January, 2005
Australian Open Fourth Round II
By Roger Federer Official Site Forum
R. FEDERER/M. Baghdatis 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4)
ESPN2's Chris Fowler and analyst Brad Gilbert, interviewing Roger Federer:
Fowler: Federer is not sitting back scouting this match because he just came out of the press conference and he's set to join us right now after a straight sets win over Marcos Baghdatis. Roger, well played, we want to talk about the tie-break, he was up 3 points to Love, he was emoting a lot, really celebrating, and then you seemed to fimd that different gear.
Federer: Yeah, uh, what should I say, I was happy to stay in it, um, you know, he..I was a little lucky with return at 3-Love, I played a good slice which he missed after, so, I was happy to get back into the match, because he broke my serve twice there, and uh, this is when really the moment when I thought, "Ok, we're gonna head for a 4th set", but I still wanted to give it a shot, you know, and uh, I'm happy I turned it around, and who knows maybe saved some crucial energy for the rest of the tournament.
Fowler: Well, you should be fresh, but you haven't really had a major test yet, haven't dropped a set, that was really the first competitive close set you've played in this tournament, do you feel ready for the Quarterfinals, and Agassi or Johannson?
Federer: Yeah, I'm ready for them, you know, I'm happy, and I prefer it the way it is right now, the way I'm winning my matches easily, you know the one oppenent, the last round, he gave up after, after 2 sets so you know, um, I'm totally fresh, and uhm, the tournament's already in the second week, and uh, I'm looking forward to the next match, it's gonna a tough one, I hope it's Andre, because with him, it's, it's always a little bit more special.
Gilbert: Well, the first time you played Baghdatis you knew nothing about him, so today were you, you know, were you expecting what you got from him today?
Federer: Well I played him at the US Open, and I lost a set in the breaker, in the 2nd set, I think it was 2nd round, also, um..he kind of surprised me in the first 2 sets, he was not so dangerous as I thought he would be, and then in the third, you know, he really started to take chances on his forehand, on the run, and that's how I remembered him from, from the US Open. Maybe there he got fired up earlier because it was a night session match, so, I was happy, you know, he only started in the 3rd set.
Gilbert: Have you ever seen a guy smiling out there and having such a good time as this kid?
Federer: I'm not happy to see that, you know, when he's playing against me (smiling), but uh, you know it's good, I'm happy to see opponents smiling out there, I think the, the crowd loves it, and, you know, they get more into it, because they feel the players are are close to the fans, and that, you know, the players show also that they're happy that the fans came out to watch them.
Fowler: Roger, it's kind of refreshing to hear a player say they prefer to play the 8-time Grand Slam winner in Andre Agassi, a guy that's given you very tough matches last year. You've not played Johannson, you're one of the toughest guys on tour to ace, you seem to do very well against big servers, you've never played him before, never looked at his serve, have you had a chance to look at it in the 1st set?
Federer: Ehm, I was sitting in the press conference, so, I missed it all and everybody was talking about my matchup with, eh, with Andre, and then I said, "Look, guys, just relax here, and see what happens", because Johannson, uh, is a great player, and he upset Andy at the US Open, so I think this will be a tough match, for, either one of them, and if I play Johannson it will be interesting to see because, it's always different when you're playing somebody you've never played. I remember him from juniors, and he's definitely got a great serve, and he'll probably keep on acing Andre because, eh, you know, that guy's really got some pop on his serve (smiling).
Gilbert: Hey, speaking of last night did you get a chance to see the confrontation between Hewitt and Chela last night?
Federer: I just read it in the papers, and heard about it from...from some people, what happened. You...it's, it's not something you do, to spit at, in the direction of the oppenent, I don't think he...he hit him with the, the..with whatever he spit out, but uhm..he got fined, so, at least, that is good.
Fowler: We're never gonna see that from Roger Federer, one of the class acts, one of the great spokesmen, and ambassadors, to the sport. Roger, thanks for-
Federer: You're welcome.
Fowler: -joining us, we appreciate it.
Federer: (Nods) Alright, good bye (smiles).
Gilbert: Good luck the rest of the tournament.
Federer: Thanks, bye bye.
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