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Mr Federer, meet Mr Laver

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Swift Terror

Entry posted by Swift Terror ·

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Very soon Roger Federer will compete to try and win the French Open with hopes of keeping alive his chance to win the Grand Slam for 2006 (he has already won the Australian Open). Paris in springtime and all that. But the pleasantries surrounding Paris will be far from Federer's mind. The French Open is a grueling, tough tournament that has denied glory to some one of the game's great players. Pete Sampras--who has more grand slam titles than anyone--never conquered the clay at Rolland Garros. McEnroe came within 1 game, but failed to pull it off in an agonizing defeat to Ivan Lendl.

 

Of course the Australian Rod Laver did win the French Open and did win the Grand Slam--twice (1962, 1969). Since 1969, only Steffi Graf has won the Grand Slam (1988). Can Federer pull this off? Doubtful. There are too many Euros who grow up on clay and do nothing but play claycourt tennis. They dominate hard court and all-court players on clay. He's got about a 30% chance to win and I'm going to predict a victory. At this point, I believe his confidence and amazing ability will overcome the claycourt specialists. As dominant as Sampras was in his prime, the clay-courters knew they had a good chance against him on the red clay. I believe the clay-courters of today look across the net at Federer and aren't too sure they can actually win. That will be the difference.

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A tennis post! OMG!

 

I give Roger about a 20% chance of winning Roland Garros (not the French Open, I must always add that :P).

 

First off, he must not face Nadal in the final. Rafa is totally in Roger's head, and on clay, Rafa is the huge favorite.

 

If that occurs, Roger has a good shot as he'll ever have. The usual clay favorites are struggling. Coria is having enormous problems with his serve. Gaudio is contemplating retirement. And nobody else has really stepped up. But, there's still a ton of talented players who shine on the spin-receptive surfaces.

 

Comparing Roger to Pete on clay is pointless, though. Pete knew he had no chance on clay. He barely prepared for it, and his gameplan was null. Roger has won Masters Series events on clay, and no doubt he's a top player on clay.

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