Federer: I can win French Open
Roger Federer looking to win first French Open
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Tuesday, 19, May 2009 09:57
Roger Federer has warned his rivals that he is confident of winning the French Open after upsetting clay court king Rafael Nadal in Madrid.
The Swiss star has had a slow start to the season, but that all changed in spectacular fashion in the final of the Madrid Masters when beat Nadal 6-4 6-4 to lift the title and claim only his second win on clay in 11 attempts against the great Spaniard.
Federer admitted he was unsure of his chances of winning at Roland Garros until the win over Nadal, which in his mind proved that he could still beat the best in the world.
"I think everything is falling into place. I kind of felt it coming the last few weeks," Federer said. "This year it looked like other guys might be moving up but I always knew that I was going to get stronger week by week on clay.
"So it's a nice feeling and I'm very excited going into Paris now whereas maybe a couple of weeks ago I was still a little bit unsure about my game and not sure whether I could win the French and now that's changed."
Despite beating Nadal in Madrid, Federer still insisted the world number one was still the man to beat at the French Open – where he has won the last four years and beaten Federer in the last three finals.