Roger Federer Steps Into Role As French Open Favorite

Lawn Tennis, Paris Open, Lawn Tennis Magazine

Roger Federer Steps Into Role As French Open Favorite
By Burton Vanderfliet, Lawn Tennis Analyst, Posted: Monday, June 1, 2009 6:28pm PST USA

Roger Federer Steps Into Role As French Open Favorite, The French Open, Roland Garros 2009, Lawn Tennis Magazine

Paris--(lawntennis.org) In the absence of the four time defending champion Rafael Nadal of Spain, the world number two Roger Federer of Switzerland enters week two of the French Open as the favorite.

Sunday in Paris in the fourth round, the top ranked Nadal was surprisingly overpowered by the 23rd seeded Robin Soderling of Sweden 6-2, 6-7(2-7), 6-4, 7-6(7-2).

Federer has never won the French Open and had lost to Nadal in Paris the last four years.

“You're aware of it,” Federer said. “Definitely changes it up, if I were to make the final. But we're not there

Roger Federer of Switzerland | Image: Getty Images

Federer has won 13 grand slam titles and a title in Paris would tie him with the all time leader Pete Sampras of the USA with 14.

yet, so honestly it hasn’t changed a whole lot for me.”

Today in his fourth round match, Federer went the distance and rallied from two sets down to defeat the talented German Tommy Haas 6-7(4-7), 5-7, 6-4, 6-0, 6-2.

In the quarterfinals, Federer is set to meet the 11th seeded Gael Monfils of France. Last year in the Paris semifinals, Federer beat the physically explosive Frenchman 6-2, 5-7, 6-3, 7-5.

And after losing to Nadal in the last three French Open finals, Federer will this year look to finish as champion.

Federer has won 13 grand slam titles and a title in Paris would tie him with the all time leader Pete Sampras of the USA with 14.

In January, Federer lost in the Australian Open championship final to Nadal before staging an upset win versus the Spaniard last month in the Madrid final.

Federer also finished second to Nadal last year at Wimbledon in a five set thriller.

The Swiss redeemed his 2008; however, with a doubles gold medal at the Summer Olympics and by taking the singles title in September at the US Open.

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