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法網從來是冷門溫床。自LENDL以後世界頭號來到ROLAND GARROS， 沒人當回事, 彼可取而代之。無數高手3缺1地結束職業生涯，CONNORS，EDBERG， BECKER，SAMPRAS, and now Federer。 LENDL 和WILANDER則是缺了WIMBLEDON。草地與泥地不能兼容，已是共識。BORG是個異數，2地奪11冠軍(大概2,30年前水平還是太低)，而且幾乎都是同年(2賽間隔很短，選手調整困難)。
極為不易，如今選手兼容2冠已數夢想，何況同年？特別是西班牙南美選手統治了泥
地， 自90年15屆10次稱雄。很多全年只看中這樣一個賽事，使得大滿貫極為困難。

AGASSI為什麼是網球20年來唯一天才? 因其99年幸運的勝利全了大滿，無人可及，
當時我早上剛打開電視，這老兄已稀里花啦快速輸掉前2盤，哪曉得對手更軟2-0後
不會打了，彌補AGASSI 90，91 2度意外決賽失利遺憾。

泥草真的不可兼容，更別提幾周之內連拿此2冠？這1切，今年有可能改變。

FEDERER是少見的真正泥地也是FAVORITE的世界頭號，他周日輕鬆拿下前冠軍MOYA，
當之無愧最強。不過的不過，周五他要遇上同樣強大的對手今年泥地不敗的NADAL，
而且觀眾可能會更傾向於後者，對決那天也是他19歲生日。今年2人在硬地FLORIDA交
手，NADAL眼看3-0橫掃卻被逆轉。眼下是他更喜歡的慢速場地，NADAL也覺不會是UNDERDOG。
雖然FEDERE年輕，可NADAL更年輕，還有阿根廷無數泥地高手。今年FEDERER如果不
能如願，很可能也將終生3缺1。拿下周5，周日還有下月溫賽都前途光明。FRIDAY。。。
FRIDAY。。。。。。。。

Nadal looking forward to Federer showdown

May 31, 2005

PARIS (Ticker) - Spanish ace Rafael Nadal is full of confidence after sweeping past compatriot David Ferrer to book an eagerly anticipated semifinal meeting with world No. 1 Roger Federer.

Nadal, who will turn 19 on Friday, will be looking for an extra special birthday present on semifinal day, with a place in the final of the French Open at stake.

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Ferrer, who was suffering back problems throughout the contest, did not put up much opposition on Tuesday, and Nadal dominated the final two sets to win, 7-5, 6-2, 6-0.

However, Nadal likely is to have a much tougher task in his next outing with Federer now standing in his way.

The Swiss star booked his place in the last four on Tuesday with yet another straight-set win, hammering Romanian Victor Hanescu, 6-2, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3.

That match looks set to be a mouth-watering encounter with Nadal, who won the claycourt events in Costa do Sauipe, Acapulco, Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome before coming to the French capital, appearing stronger than ever as he reached his maiden Grand Slam semifinal.

"I am very happy," he said after the match. "This is my first semifinal in a Grand Slam and I am going to play against the world No. 1, this is unbelievable for me.

"I am playing very well at the moment, and it was certainly my best day since the tournament started. I feel very good with my shots. The way I played in that match has given me a lot of confidence ahead of the clash with Federer."

Federer won three of the four Grand slams on offer last year, but never has managed to come away triumphant from Roland Garros.

This year, though, he seems to be gaining irresistible momentum, and he has yet to drop a set on his march to the last four.

Although to many experts Nadal is considered the favorite for the tournament, the youngster would clearly prefer all eyes to be on his 23-year-old opponent.

"I know it's going to be complicated and that I will have to play at my best level as I did in Monte Carlo and Barcelona," he added. "But he will be the favorite, he will have the pressure, and I think I can win if I play my best tennis and if he does not play his best tennis.

"I don't want to get into the match thinking that this is the most important match of my career, I don't want to feel under pressure. This is going to be an important match. ... Reaching the final here would be incredible for me, especially at the age of 19. The semis were my aim. Now I am going to try to play calmly. I will start the match thinking I might be able to win, that's what I will be going for and then we will see."

Federer equally is convinced he can beat his rival on Friday, especially after rallying from two sets down to defeat the Spaniard in the final of the Miami claycourt event in April.

"Everybody is looking forward to that match," Federer said. "This is Nadal's first time here at Roland Garros, so it will be very interesting for sure. But I think I have my chances to walk away with the title, I just have two matches left to play."

About their clash in Miami he added, "I played against him there and it went up to a five-setter. We had tough rallies and it was a hard match, but I saw that he was very tired towards the end of the match. That surprised me. So we will see."

Before the start of the French Open Federer made no secret that he was worried about the strains of playing five-set matches on clay for two weeks.

However, having spent fewer than 10 hours on court so far, Federer is full of energy, and he sent out an ominous warning by insisting that the best is yet to come.

"I have not yet played a great tennis match this year at Roland Garros," he added. "I've only had three-set wins, so hopefully against Nadal I will have the opportunity to really show what I am capable of doing.

"I am in extremely good ???? right now and I have an awful lot of energy left."