Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have turned to playing mind games ahead of the latest instalment of their epic French Open rivalry. Federer believes he is the more positive of the two men while Nadal, bidding for a fourth historic trophy, says the world number one’s decision to bring in Jose Higueras as coach could backfire.
Pete Sampras tried 13 times to win a French Open and 13 times he failed. Roger Federer, who is surely destined to surpass the American’s 14 Grand Slam titles, is about to embark on his 10th attempt to solve the intricate mysteries of the Roland Garros clay. The 12-time Grand Slam title winner, is enduring, by his lofty standards, a poor season.
At this point, Roger Federer will take a title victory however it comes. Top-ranked Federer won the Estoril Open on debut and his first title of 2008 when fourth-ranked Nikolay Davydenko retired with a left leg injury while trailing 7-6 (5), 1-2 on Sunday. He hadn’t won a tournament this late into the season in nine years.