Federer avenged his defeat against Gulbis in Rome. He this time beat him in Madrid: 3-6 6-1 6-4.

It did not start as well as it could. Federer was not looking sharp and again immediately got broken. Gulbis was playing some good tennis and Federer just did not get into the Gulbis service games. He was also making a bit too many unforced errors. Gulbis managed to keep his early advantage and served out the first set: 3-6.

Federer, who had been holding convincingly after he first got broken, knew he had to start good in the second set. In a way he did, but not after he got broken again in his first service game. But after that he won 3 games in a row and had the avantage again. Federer really played a lot better at this point and looked like his good old self again. He broke Gulbis again and the second set was a breadstick: 6-1.

In the third Federer continued to play good tennis and after holding off Gulbis in his first servicegame, he managed to break Gulbis early again with some incredible tennis; 3-1 Federer. All he had to do now is hold on to his own serve. And he did. He closed out the match and booked his spot in the semi final.

A great win over an in-form player. He again played an excellent match. It looks like Federer is warming up nicely for the French Open which starts in a little over a week.

All pictures of Madrid are HERE

Highlights:

Federer also won his second match in Madrid very convincingly. He again produced a great performance in beating fellow Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka: 6-3 6-1.

The match didn't start as well as he continued it. He got broken immediately and it looked to be a tough night again. But Federer broke back right after and was unstoppable after that.

He broke Wawrinka to take a 3-1 lead and never gave it back. Without any problem and with solid tennis Federer took the opening set six games to three.

He continued to dominate in the second set. After breaking Wawrinka twice he took a 4-0 lead. Stan managed to hold one more time but when he had to serve to stay in the match he got broken again. 6-1.

All in all it is looking like the Federer we know again. I never had any doubts because I know how many times he has proven the criticasters wrong. And even though it could go wrong again today against Gulbis, in a best of 5 match it is going to be very hard to beat him at Roland Garros.

As said, Federer will play Gulbis today. not before 20.00 Madrid time.

All pictures of Madrid are HERE

Highlights:

Interview:

Federer has won his first match in Madrid, where he is trying to defend his title, with a convincing 6-3 7-6(5) victory over Benjamin Becker.

Unlike Federer's last few matches, where he was making errors all over the place, Federer was playing good tennis. His performance was that of an normal first match at an tournament. Balls that were flying well out in Estoril now went in. It looked pretty good.

Federer broke Becker 1 time in the first set to take it 6-3. In the second set Federer came close to finishing the match earlier, but Becker managed to get to a tiebreak. Federer proved to be the stronger player in that one.

Federer will now play good friend Stanislas Wawrinka on thursday.

All pictures of Madrid are HERE

Federer giving a clinic at Estoril with a couple of kids. Some serious skills are shown too:

Federer has won his first clay match of the season. In Estoril he beat Bjorn Phau, 6-3 6-4.

After losing his first clay match of the season to Ernest Gulbis, Federer needs all the match play he can get in Estoril. He started in the right way. It was still far from pretty, but a win is a win. Match play is what he needs.

Federer needed only 84 minutes to win the match. He saved all three breakpoints he got against him.

Phau was a player who did not have a negative head to head against Federer. It was 1-1. Federer has now gained the upperhand in yet another H2H.

Federer will now play against Arnaud Clement of France on friday.

Pictures:

ALL ESTORIL PICTURES HERE

Couple of highlights:

Federer has already lost in this year´s Rome Masters. He was beaten by Gulbis: 2-6 6-1 7-5.

As most of his losses, in the first set there was no problem. He was playing good, hitting the forehand well, the backhand well, and serving well. But like so many matches in the second set he just faded drastically.

He was producing error after error and gave Gulbis the opportunity to believe in himself. Even after he had no right doing that after that first set.

Federer got broken a couple of times and lost that second set 6-1.

You would hope for a recovery in the third, but that did not happen. He again went down a break early. Federer continued to play sloppy and looked nothing like the player that won the Australian Open very convincingly.

He had to fight of a couple of matchs points at 5-3*, Federer serving. He managed to do so and Gulbis had to serve it out. As known, Gulbis is quite a choker so Federer would probably get his chances. And he did. After saving (or Gulbis squandering) a couple of match points, Federer got a break point and took it: 5-5.

But a terrible game from Federer after that gave Gulbis another break. This time he did not fail. GSM Gulbis.

Federer is still playing doubles here with Yves Allegro. So he is still in the tournament. But not in the way we want of course.

Federer's next singles tournament is in Estoril. Let's hope he can at least win a couple of rounds there. He needs the match practice. He has only played 6 matches in the last 3 months. That is not enough.

Pictures:

Many pictures of naturelle:

ALL OF VISHIDO'S PICTURES ARE HERE

ALL OF NATURELLE'S PICTURES HERE

ALL OTHER PICTURES OF ROME ARE HERE

Press conference:

Federer and Yves Allegro have won their first doubles match! The 2 defeated Brunstrom and Rojer: 6-4 7-6(4)

Pictures of that match:

A few practice pictures from yesterday where Federer met Nadal:

ALL OF VISHIDO'S PICTURES ARE HERE

ALL OF NATURELLE'S PICTURES HERE

ALL OTHER PICTURES OF ROME ARE HERE

Federer had a press conference yesterday in Rome. Here are some pictures of that event:

Federer has decided to play doubles here in Rome with his friend Yves Allegro. He will play his first doubles match todat at 17.30 local time.

Federer Rome interview:

2 More pictures of Federer practicing!

And here is Federer on ESPN magazine!

Federer at the opening of a Nike store in Rome:

Federer practicing on the clay! Enjoy!

Federer Roland Garros outfit! He will probably wear the blue one. Enjoy.

Federer practicing on clay:

As you all know by now, Federer lost his match against Berdych. Just like against Baghdatis Federer lost in the 3rd set tiebreak.

This is what Federer himself had to say after his defeat:

"It's no secret that I struggled the last five matches I played in the States," Roger said. "I fought, and tried everything I could, but my game is lacking something right now. I'm lacking timing. I had so many chances, but I never felt great all night. When I don't play my best, it's hard to judge my opponent, but I knew the danger. This only fuels my desire to go to the practice courts and figure out what's wrong, and get better."

But the good news is Federer is already practicing again. And he is on clay again for the first time this year. Here is a picture from his facebook:

I still owe you guys some pictures from Federer in Miami. So here they are:

From his match against Berdych:

And of course, Krist her pictures from that day:

ALL OF KRIST HER PICTURES, AND OTHERS, HERE

Federer will now prepare to play his first clay tournament in Italy, in Rome.

Federer is through to the 4th round after beating Florent Serra of French, 7-6(2) 7-6(3).

This match could and should have been a lot easier then it turned out to be. In both sets Federer had a lead but was unable to keep it.

In the first set Federer started good. At 3-2* Federer broke his opponent and took a nice lead. He consolidated the break by winning his next service game. But when he needed to serve out the set a couple of bad shots and some nice winners from Serra spoiled the party. He was broken back. Things then went to a tiebreak. In this tiebreak Federer was clearly the better player and only gave Serra 2 points.

The second set also looked to be going very good for Federer. He even lead by a double break. Normally that is more then enough for someone like Federer to take the set and thereby the match. But not yesterday. Again Federer let Serra come back and pose a threat. The good thing is in the tie-break Federer again changed a gear and was much better then Serra. This time only giving him 3 points.

All in all it must be said this was another pretty sloppy match from Federer. His ball striking again failed him on quite some occasions, making many unforced errors. But it must also be said that Federer made like 5 absolutely BRILLIANT points this match. Therefore it was still a very nice match to look at. Look at the highlights beneith to see some points.

Federer will now play against Berdych tonight.

Autograph session with Federer earlier this day:

Pictures from the Serra match:

Couple of pictures from Krist:

ALL OF KRIST HER PICTURES, AND OTHERS, HERE

Highlights:

Federer interview:

Federer has started his journey for a 3rd Miami title well. He defeated Nicolas Lapentti of Ecuador in straight sets, 6-3 6-3.

Even though the match was pretty easy and a nice warm up for the rest of his matches, Federer did not really play that well. Especially the forehand produced great shots, followed by a couple more very bad shots. Federer himself said that the ball was floating a bit and that's why he mistimed a lot of shots.

Federer's backhand and serve were very good none the less. Both firing on al cilinders. Also his breakpoint conversion of 100% was pretty good to say the least.

Federer did had to fight of a couple of breakpoints in the beginning of the match but never really had much trouble after that. He broke the Ecuadorian once in the first set and eased to a one set lead.

The second set Federer started to play a bit better. Especially near the end. The last couple of games looked like Federer found his rhythm. He broke Lapentti twice. The second one was to take the match.

With Murray and Djokovic already out, Federer has a great shot of grabbing the record of most weeks at number one. But some more points, preferably 1000, would help in a big way.

Federer will now play against Florent Serra.

By the way, AWESOME outfit. One of the best in the last few years.

Also check out the many pictures Krist took of this match HERE.

Couple of pictures from Krist:

ALL OF KRIST HER PICTURES, AND OTHERS, HERE

Highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhUnhA4PWrU

And again some new practice pictures! Of course made by Krist!

Couple of them:

ALL OF KRIST HER PICTURES, AND OTHERS, HERE

Many more pictures! This time of Federer practicing in Miami! Over 250 pictures! Of course made by Krist!

Couple of them:

ALL OF KRIST HER PICTURES, AND OTHERS, HERE

First pictures from Federer in Miami!

2 more short video's of Federer practicing in Miami with Wawrinka:
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEoDXUPzQXM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAn_H5aN4uw

Enjoy! 

Also the 'Creations' page is working again! Many wallpapers there to be viewed! Among them are these 2 who i have updated with Federer's latest 2 Grand Slam victories!

Go to 'Creations'

The draw for the Miami tournament has been drawn! You can see it here:

Picture on the left is the top half of the draw, with Federer and Murray. The picture on the right is bottom half of the draw, with Nadal and Djokovic.

And found this on rf.com, how funny is that :D

And here is a nice ATP oversight of Federer's Career:

And a message from Rogers official site:

Federer is in Miami and he is practicing! Here are 2 videos of him doing so:

Unfortunately Roger's campaign at the 2010 Indian Wells Masters 1000 tournament came to a quick end after Marcos Barghdatis beat Federer in 3 sets: 5-7 7-5 7-6(4).

After beating Hanescu in 3 sets Federer could not do the same to Baghdatis. Even though it should have been a much easier match against the Cypriot. He should have beaten him in 2.

After taking the first set with a single break at the end of the set Federer also had opportunities to take the second set as well. At 5-4* Baghdatis serving Federer had 2 matchpoints but he was careless on both and fired long. After these mistakes Baghdatis broke Federer and took the second set himself.

In the 3rd Federer took a 4-1 lead, but again let the Cypriot come back. In the deciding tiebreak Baghdatis proved to be the stronger one and took it, and therefore the match. It was Federer's first loss to Baghdatis in 7 meetings.

Federer was playing pretty bad and made way too many unforced errors.

But let's not forget he has come off a long break. This was his first match since winning the Australian Open many weeks ago. He has also gotten a lung infection in the mean time. So he could not prepare optimal. Let's hope this early exit gives Federer time to get ready for Miami wich starts next week.

A couple of pictures from his matches against Hanescu and Baghdatis:
 

ALL PICTURES FROM INDIAN WELLS HERE!

PICTURES FROM KRIST + ZALIK22 ARE HERE AS WELL!

Federer practicing at Indian Wells! Pictures are made by Krist!

 

ALL PICTURES FROM KRIST HERE!

Federer at Indian Wells!

"Back on the court in Indian Wells today. Felt great to hit as it was the first hit I had in 2 and a half weeks."

Good news!

Update 19.20.

Possible outfits Federer at Indian Wells and Miami. Not sure which ones he will wear:

Hi everyone! Good news from Federer!

After having to withdraw from Dubai with a lung infection, Federer is hopefull to play at Indian Wells! Here is his message from Facebook: