11-08-2010 10.40

Roger Federer earned the opportunity to avenge two defeats to Tomas Berdych this year when he moved into the Rogers Cup quarter-finals with a 7-6(2), 6-3 win over chip-and-charging Frenchman Michael Llodra on Thursday in Toronto.

The five-time ATP World Tour Champion fell behind 1-4, 30/30 in the first set as he struggled to adjust to the net-rushing tactics of Llodra. But Federer won 12 of the last 17 games to advance.

“It is fun playing that kind of a style once in a while,” said the World No. 3. “I kind of miss it, obviously. Having come through the rankings back in '98, '99, 2000, I was facing many of those kind of players, especially on the faster courts indoors.”


Federer, the 2004 and 2006 Toronto champion, fell in the Rogers Cup quarter-finals last year to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga after leading 5-1 in the third set. The Swiss is attempting to snap a six-month title drought dating back to his 16th Grand Slam triumph at the Australian Open in January. Also a winner of 16 career ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles, Federer's last title at this level came almost one year ago in Cincinnati.

Seventh seed Berdych worked harder than expected to beat Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-4. The Czech served 11 aces and saved all five break points he faced.


“I definitely have to go back, and think what didn't go so well against him and what did work well,” said Federer, who lost to Berdych at Miami and Wimbledon. “He's definitely on the run right now, so hope to stop him a bit. He played great in Paris, at Wimbledon, and also, he beat me in Miami in a tough three setter where I had match point, so that was a bit of a pity, obviously. So I hope to learn from those mistakes and come up with a good game plan tomorrow.”

The 24-year-old Berdych has a 40-13 season match record, already eclipsing last year’s match wins total (36-26). He reached the finals this year at Wimbledon (l. to Nadal) and the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament in Miami (l. to Roddick).

source: www.atpworldtour.com

Highlights:

11-08-2010 10.40

Roger Federer became the all-time match wins leader in ATP World Tour Masters 1000 action after defeating Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela 7-6(7), 6-3 on Tuesday night at the Rogers Cup in Toronto.

The World No. 3, who notched his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 win in 2000 at Miami, improved to a 210-65 lifetime record at the ATP’s premier level of tournaments. American Andre Agassi, the previous record holder, compiled a 209-73 mark from 1990-2006.

Federer returned to competition for the first time in more than a month, and was made to work hard in his second-round opener. Chela double faulted to give Federer a break in the sixth game, but prevented the Swiss from serving out the set as he converted on a triple break point opportunity to get back on serve at 5-4. Federer finally sealed the set after putting away his fifth set point of the tie-break.

The second set proved more straightfoward for the third-seeeded Swiss. Federer broke Chela to go up 3-2 and closed out the match in one hour and 21 minutes with another break of serve.

"I thought it was a good match overall," he said. "It's always nice to come back after six weeks and get the win. I think that's really what counts the most tonight. It's normal that you're a bit rusty after six weeks. You have to work your way into playing matches again, even though you play a lot of practice sets and matches."


Federer is looking to win his 17 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title, and his first since last August at the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters in Cincinnati. He won his two Rogers Cup titles in 2004 and ’06 in Toronto.

This is Federer’s first tournament appearance as the world’s No. 3 player since the 2003 Tennis Masters Cup in Houston, where he ended up winning the title with victory over Andre Agassi in the final.


"Rankings are what they are," said Federer. "You can't control them that much unless you win tournaments. That's not what I have been doing lately, so I know I have to try to do better there. Other guys played well, as well. So they deserve the ranking that everybody has. Rankings usually don't lie, so it's up to me to make a move now."

The Swiss, who celebrated his 29th birthday Sunday, will next face the winner of the Nicolas Almagro-Michael Llodra match.

source: www.atpworldtour.com

Highlights:

Message from Federer on his official site:

"Dear Fans 

I've been looking to add someone to my team and I've decided to spend some days with Paul Annacone. As Paul winds down his responsibilities working for the Lawn Tennis Association, we will explore our relationship through this test period. Paul will work alongside my existing team and I am excited to learn from his experiences. 

See you soon 

Roger"

Paul Annacone:

Paul Annacone is a former coach of Pete Sampras and Tim Henman.

Hi everyone!

It has been some time. I know you are all probably like: What is going on?! But don't worry, the site is not dead, although it looked like that for the past month :P.

I am just very busy right now. And it will be like that at least until the beginning of September. I won't say I won't update  the site until then, but there will be less updates then normal. This is just too important right now.

I know the pictures are down again.. It irritates me too. It is a poor host, but the reason I use it is because it is supposed to earn me some money for views. Even though I have never recieved anything.. But because I don't get any donations, I have used that site. And the earnings from the advertisements on the site are also not that good. So that's why I have used it.

But don't worry, this site won't go away just yet! Just come back and check regularly to see if there are updates.

Greetings, RFP!