Journalism of Courage
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This is an archive article published on May 17, 2007
Federer stretched
Roger Federer was made to fight uncomfortably hard to survive his opening round match at the Masters Series and showed few signs during a three-set struggle with Juan Monaco that he is emerging from his dip in form.
Written by Agencefrancepresse
Hamburg | May 17, 2007 12:00 AM IST
2 min read
2 min read
Roger Federer was made to fight uncomfortably hard to survive his opening round match at the Masters Series and showed few signs during a three-set struggle with Juan Monaco that he is emerging from his dip in form.
Federer, who has failed to win any of his last four tournaments for the first time since becoming world number one more than three years ago, mistimed the ball more than usual and had to save five points to avoid going a break of serve down in the final set during an unconvincing 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 second round victory.
True, the world number 48 from Argentina has a good clay court record this year, and conditions were difficult, but Federer will need to play better to convince many people that he can prevent Rafael Nadal from winning this title for the first time on Sunday. The match was played in very cool temperatures 8211; only 11 degrees Centigrade 8211; and with rain beating fiercely on the centre court roof during various stages of the match the atmosphere became very damp and the balls uncomfortably heavy.
8220;I had to fight to win and it was definitely a hard fought victory,8221; said Federer. 8220;The conditions were difficult but my opponent was good as well.
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