Fuente: © Australian Open
http://www.ausopen.org/

AUSTRALIAN OPEN: Day 8: Fed Ready To Step It Up

/noticias.info/ by Jordan Chong
Monday, 23 January, 2006

World No.1 Roger Federer usually plays tennis at such a level that his opponents can sometimes only wish that they catch him on an off day.

But in an ominous sign for any contenders to the title, the Swiss master believes his form at Australian Open 2006 is 'the same, if not better' than during his unsuccessful attempt at back-to-back titles 12 months ago.

Federer cruised into the fourth-round with a 6-3 6-4 6-3 win over Max Mirnyi on Day Six, producing some brilliant passing shots and returns of serve against the big-serving Belarussian.

"I think I really played good, especially mentally I thought it was a good performance because you don't get many opportunities, and when you get them you have to take them, and that's what I did," Federer said after the match.

Against Mirnyi, the Swiss champion hit 48 winners and committed just 10 unforced errors.

Asked if he felt unbeatable, Federer replied 'no, not really' but said his confidence does grow significantly once he takes the lead in a match.

"Maybe once I'm up two-sets-to-love, (I) sort of get that feeling that it's going to be hard that some stuff will go wrong," Federer said. "I get moments in the course of the match where I feel unbeatable, but not from the start, that's for sure."

"But, again, I've lost matches being up two-sets-to-love, too. They maybe sometimes hurt you the most because you should have won the match."

He also acknowledged that complacency could be his biggest barrier to the title, given the absence of players such as Marat Safin and Andre Agassi, and the departures of Lleyton Hewitt and Andy Roddick.

"I think the danger is the long tournament, tough conditions, the five-setters," Federer said. "Dangerous players are always around in a draw like this. I cannot take anybody lightly. I've got to focus on playing well and keeping playing good tennis."

"So far I've been able to do that. Obviously, I agree with (the question), it looks like it's going to be a walk in the park, but it's definitely not going to be that."

"Players change, they adapt, they try other things. Like this match tonight, I thought that was a dangerous match. I got through it quite comfortably. I hope I can keep it up."

Federer said he is looking forward to his upcoming clash with in-form German Tommy Haas, the man who beat him at an exhibition tournament at Kooyong before Australian Open 2006.

"I've had some difficulties with him in the past. I already played him twice this year," Federer said, referring to Doha where he beat Haas 6-3 6-3 in the semi-finals.

"I'm looking toward to that match because that's going to be a different match. Finally get some baseline rallies going."

The pair was also involved in a tight fourth-round encounter at Australian Open 2002, where it was Haas who prevailed, winning the fifth-set 8-6 after Federer had held match point. notas_de_prensa_archivo