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Friday, June 16, 2006
Halle Quarterfinal
By Gerry Weber Open Official Site
R. FEDERER/O. Rochus 6-7 (2-7), 7-6 (11-9), 7-6 (7-5)
An interview with: ROGER FEDERER
Q: It couldn’t have been much closer than that between going out and surviving? FEDERER:
Yes, it was really close. Obviously, it could have gone either way. He
had the chances earlier and obviously putting me under a lot of
pressure. I really tried to hang in there because I was really
disappointed of not playing my opportunities in the second set being up
a break. Usually three breaks in three sets, that should be enough to
win grass. So, I was disappointed having to face all these troubles in
the second set especially. I consider myself lucky obviously. But I
fought through it and in the end it paid off in a very nice way.
Q: When was the last time you had to safe four match points and winning the match? FEDERER:
I won in the Cincinatti, first round against Scott Draper saving seven
match points. That was not so long ago, maybe two or threes years ago.
He had three matchpoints and I served at 5:6 and I think 6:3 in the
breaker.
Q: Did the court bother you today more than the previous days? FEDERER:
Yes, I thought there were quite a few bad bounces. But it was pretty
much similar to the Gasquet match yesterday. That’s what grass is, just
a little frustrating at the moment.
Q: How can you stick out during all these close points? FEDERER:
Once you go into the stage of the really really big points, obviously I
have a way of blocking everything out and just focusing on the point
and on the match. That’s maybe my strength. It was a tough one today.
It’s funny now, walking down the corridor I was thinking what happened
at all these points. I don’t remember almost. It’s like there were too
many. I don’t know what happened on the first match point and on the
second match point. All I remember is the last tiebreaker in the third
set and the rest is almost like gone. That shows how concentrated I was.
Q: You forgot to change the sides in the tiebreaker. Do you remember? FEDERER:
Yes, I remember. At 9 all, you’re not used to playing 9 all tiebreakers
plus I was just disappointed the net cord went again against my way and
I didn’t look on the other side. That’s why I forgot.
Q: Is it fair to say that you are not happy with your game on this surface? FEDERER:
No, that’s not true. I have the feeling my opponents are playing
excellent. Gasquet and Rochus played unbelievable matches. I don’t have
the feeling I’m playing that bad. It just happens that once in a while I
play a bad service game and they break me to love or they just break
me. And that’s causing difficulties. But that’s because the other
players are playing that well. To say, I’m playing bad that’s not the
right thing.
Q: It must be quite satisfying to safe four match points? FEDERER:
It’s great just to come through. Saving so many match points gives you
a lot of confidence. It shows that it’s worthwhile fighting for every
point. That’s what gives me motivation to, no matter what the situation
looks like, you’re always going to believe in your chance. And that’s
what I did. I did believe that I was strong and that the match could
turn around. And then it did.
Q: 19 aces once again. Was that the key for you? FEDERER: It was
a long match. So, obviously you have more time to serve aces. The match
went a distance, so it’s not to overrate. But I thought I served well.
He returned the best from the three I’ve played so far. Actually the
victory goes with the second service instead of the first-serve aces.
This is where I could again rely on my second serve. That’s what makes
me win a lot of matches.
Q: Were you afraid to go to the net because, obviously you were not so comfortable from the baseline because he played so good. FEDERER:
I had the feeling in the third set that I should maybe play a little
bit more aggressive. But then I was broken in the first opening game.
Then right away it puts you back down. So, should I change my game,
should I keep it up, what should I do? You start analysing all over
again. By getting that break so early, I knew that the chance will
obviously come around for me to break but the problem is I shouldn’t be
broken a second time. So, I tried to play a bit more aggressive and cut
down the points sometimes.
Q: Were you surprised at the number of good shots you had and in turn, he had even better shots? FEDERER:
Yes and no. That’s his big strength. He covers an unbelievable amount
of ground and when he does, he plays it the right way. So it’s tough to
hurt him. His backhand is one of the best one-handers in the game. His
slice is excellent, it always comes short, especially on the grass it
stays low and doesn’t give you many opportunities. You don’t get a lot
of opportunities to attack against him and if you do, every time he
will get an opportunity to pass. He does a great job in covering the
court in the right way. It’s not really a surprise. We, the players,
know.
Q: As you have played him in juniors and going so long, do you think
that he fancies his chances against you more than a lot of other
players? FEDERER: Yes and no. I think he is very impressed how far
I’ve come in the last ten years, because that’s how long we have known
each other. He used to toy around with me during juniors under 16. Then
it started to change around, but I’m sure that he never guessed, and he
told me; that I will never be that good. I also never thought that I’ll
be that good. I think he was kind of very impressed in the beginning
playing me today. Obviously he will fancy his chances more in the
future which is a little bit of problem for me, but he deserves to be
in this position because I think he is an excellent player.
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