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May 18, 2007
Hamburg AMS Quarterfinal
By Hamburg Masters Official Site
Press Conference with ROGER FEDERER
Federer - Ferrer 6:3, 4:6, 6:3
Q: 6:3, 4:2, 30:15, everything was going fine and then he got into the match. Did he force his way in or did you let him in?
FEDERER: I think it was a bit of both today because I was already up 3:1 and then 4:2. I did not serve great in the second set, thank God it came back in the third. My second serve is one of the best in the game and I back it up usually very good. This is one of the reasons why I go after my first so much. But the thing is, he is one of the best returners we have in the game. I looked at the statistics of the year so far and his second serve is points one first, break point conversion is also at the top. I knew it's going to be hard and I shouldn't be surprised when I was going to get broken. It is just a pitty when you are up a set and a break, instead of closing him out, you find yourself at 3:4 in the third set and the momentum is his way. That's exactly the position he wants to have me in. I got a bit lucky on that one net call at 30 all. So that was huge in the end and after that I played well. But I am happy the way I played. It is a good match for me to win. I hit many balls today, so that was good.
Q: You said you did not serve well but actually the rest of your game looked pretty good for a set and a half. Probably the best you played recently?
FEDERER: Yesterday was excellent. It was similar. I was feeling very good off the baseline today. I definitely carried over the feeling I had yesterday to today's match, which was perfect. I served well in the first and the third set, just the second set I was a bit off. He took advantage of it too. Sometimes you win matches and the guy just doesn't take his chances, but he did. He started to miss much less than at the beginning. The last few times, I had a set and a break against him, I put him away each time. Just not today.
Q: The weather forecast is slightly better for each day. Did it feel easier out there today?
FEDERER: Yes, I think today was the easiest day to play tennis. It was a good temperature, sometimes a bit gusty winds but usually it was okay. The clay felt good to move on as well. It was good conditions. That's also why the level of play was good from the baseline.
Q: One of your potential opponents, Djokovic, said in Miami that he felt after that win, he felt that he was the third best player in the world. Do you feel that at the moment he is the third best player?
FEDERER: I haven't checked out the race ranking, but I guess he is very high. He has won more titles than me this year so far. He's been able to win a Masters Series which I haven't. I won the Australian Open and beat him there. I think he is a great player. I think Ljubicic said something similar last time when I beat him in the finals, that he felt he was the second best player in the world. Who cares, second, third, fourth or fifth. What's the difference. You have to make your runs in the tournaments and play well on the big occasion. He definitely made a big move forward. He definitely found the confidence, he has nothing to lose now. He is a tough player to play against. He really improved a lot over the last year when I played him first in Monaco.
Q: Ricci Bicci was at the courtside. What about with the ITF since Monte Carlo. Is there any progress?
FEDERER: We had a meeting. We went through the stuff. I haven't put much thought lately in the issue. I've had other problems lately. But it's always good to see him at tournaments. I guess when the time is right we are going to speak again.
Q: Having such a spotless balance like you against Ferrer, does losing a set feel like a loss to you? Do you think about that?
FEDERER: No, not really. I said yesterday already, the time will come that I'll lose a set or even a match to him. As long as I win the match, I'm proud and happy. I could have lost several sets to him, he used to have 5 set points against me in Basel and I made it through. These statistics don't mean much at the end of the day. He is better on clay. I knew it would be difficult once he found his rhythm. He found it in the middle of the second set. Thank God I was lucky at the end of the third set.
Q: Are you the type to read statistics about the opponents?
FEDERER: If I have it in front of my nose, I look at the stuff (laughs), but normally not really. I'm more interested to see in which tournament he played well, which players he beat in that week. That's enough together with the experience I have.
Q: Do you watch Nadal or do you prefer not to know how he plays?
FEDERER: Yes. I saw a bit of him in the last few days. It's interesting to see him play all the time. Especially if he is a bit tired, then you can look more into his game than when he is in top form. But it's an incredible series he's putting on at the moment. So I like to watch him. I like watching his tennis. So I might watch for a while today.
Q: Do you see any weaknesses in him?
FEDERER: Not really at the moment. He makes very little mistakes, he is mentally and physically top at the moment because of all his wins. Things are always easier when you win. So I'm not surprised to see him continuing his series.
Q: The audience really likes to watch you playing, also Nadal. You did the audience the favour twice to go over three sets. What do you think about doing that twice again?
FEDERER: I like three sets as well. You are involved in a fight and it goes up and down. It's always interesting for the audience. Two sets a pretty fast sometimes and the audience doesn't get that much out of the players. But I think they still prefer the best ones winning in straight sets so they can see them again the next day.
Q: You have a lot of fans on the court, but is especially interested. The one with the plane and the banner.
FEDERER: Oh, I didn't even see that. I will have to make enquiries.
Q: Vladimir also came to watch again.
FEDERER: Yes, he came right at the end. Exactly the right moment.
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