Federer aiming to conquer Paris

To add to his problems, he could face triple Roland Garros champion Gustavo Kuerten in the third round here with Argentina’s David Nalbandian and former World N.1 Marat Safin of Russia waiting to pounce later in the draw.

However, with defending champion Juan Carlos Ferrero horribly out of form with a wrist injury and with serious doubts over US Open winner Andy Roddick’s ability to adapt his booming game to the slow surface, there may never be a better opportunity for Federer to triumph here.

Ferrero must face former World No.2 Tommy Haas of Germany in his first round match.

Federer also has the added psychological advantage of having defeated another leading rival Guillermo Coria in the final of the Hamburg Masters, ending the Argentinian’s 31-match unbeaten run on clay in the process.

“I am more relaxed now. The last two years, I went to Paris with very high hopes. I thought that if I had been in the quarter-finals of the French open in 2001 and had won Hamburg in 2002, I can do better at the French,” said Federer whose win in Germany was his fourth of the year and 15th of his career.

History says otherwise.

In 2002, he was dumped out of the first round here by Morocco’s Hicham Arazi while last year it was the turn of Peru’s Luis Horna to take the Swiss player’s scalp in straight sets.

His Wimbledon triumph last summer erased the pain.

“Now I’m more relaxed and know how to approach Grand Slams,” he said.

Federer’s best showing here remains his 2001 quarter-final finish and he is aware that with Ferrero having not played for a month, it is Coria who remains a major threat. The 22-year-old Argentinian is a master of clay where he has won all of his eight titles, the most recent of which was in Monte Carlo last month.

He is also keen for revenge having lost in the semi-finals to Martin Verkerk here last year.

“That was a very difficult defeat because I had great hopes,” said Coria.

“I won the masters in Monte Carlo and that was a great motivation.”

Ferrero’s chances of taking court: 50 pc

PARIS: Defending champion Juan Carlos Ferrero admitted here today that it looks increasingly likely that his rib injury will force him to pull out of the French Open. The Spaniard, whose season has been devastated by illness and injury, rated his chances of defending his title as “less then 50-50” when the second Grand Slam of 2004 gets underway at Roland Garros tomorrow. “I practised for an hour this morning but I didn’t feel good,” said the 23-year-old. “I am still having problems. My ribs are very painful so I will make a decision on Monday.”