Tennis: Roger Federer Wins Australian Kooyong Classic
January 17th 2009 13:21
Roger Federer stormed to victory in the Kooyong Classic then declared himself in perfect shape to win his fourth Australian Open to equal the grand slam record.
Federer dominated the final against fellow Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka, seizing a 6-1, 6-3 win in only 57 minutes.
The result provided an ideal lead-in to the Australian Open beginning on Monday when he will be out to match Pete Sampras's record of 14 grand slam titles.
And unlike last year, when he was hobbled by illness and a lack of match practice as a consequence, Federer said everything was in place for him this year.
“I've played plenty of matches so that's not the issue, no health problems, feeling fresh and fit and ready to go and excited so things are the way I was hoping them to be,'' Federer said.
“Last year was more just a race trying to get in shape or in decent shape for the first round, so it's quite different.
“I couldn't really work on anything, it was hopefully just trying to hit a few times before Monday.''
Under those conditions Federer still managed to reach the semi-finals so he was keen to send a clear warning to the major challengers - world No.1 Rafael Nadal, defending champion Novak Djokovic and Scot Andy Murray who holds a dominant record over the Swiss star.
“This time it's different. I also played Doha which I didn't do last year so I actually came into the (2008) Australian Open not playing at all.
“This changes a lot because in a way of higher expectations obviously because last year was just a matter of playing the tournament - this time I will try to win it,'' he said.
“I don't come here to lose in the fourth round - those times are over.''
Federer betrays no false modesty, nor can he with his record.
“I'm always confident entering any grand slam really because of all the success I've had in the last six years.
“I don't remember any slam entering where I go, 'Oh God' I know it's not going to work out for me.
“I always feel I'm going to play well at the slam and it's going to take an incredible performance by somebody else to beat me - and that's what's happened over the last few years and I know it's exactly the same again this year.''
Federer described his Open draw as “tough but possible.''
He meets Italian Andreas Seppi in the first round and has former Open winner Marat Safin, Djokovic and American Andy Roddick in his half of the draw.
Seppi, he said, was a “tough opponent'' whom he beat in this year's Doha tournament in the second round.
Wawrinka was not bothered by Saturday's loss, stressing the nature of the eight-man tournament and was pleased to have reached the final on the eve of the Open.
Federer wasted little time against his friend and Beijing gold medal-winning doubles partner before a packed Kooyong stadium.
He raced through the opening set in just 25 minutes, taking service breaks in the opening, third and final games.
Federer immediately broke serve to take a 2-0 lead in the second set and clinched the match on his second championship point with an easy smash.
It was Federer's second win in the Kooyong tournament - he previously won here in 2005.
Earlier in the play-off for third Spain's Fernando Verdasco defeated Chilean Fernando Gonzalez 6-4 6-3.
AAP
Federer dominated the final against fellow Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka, seizing a 6-1, 6-3 win in only 57 minutes.
The result provided an ideal lead-in to the Australian Open beginning on Monday when he will be out to match Pete Sampras's record of 14 grand slam titles.
And unlike last year, when he was hobbled by illness and a lack of match practice as a consequence, Federer said everything was in place for him this year.
“I've played plenty of matches so that's not the issue, no health problems, feeling fresh and fit and ready to go and excited so things are the way I was hoping them to be,'' Federer said.
“Last year was more just a race trying to get in shape or in decent shape for the first round, so it's quite different.
“I couldn't really work on anything, it was hopefully just trying to hit a few times before Monday.''
Under those conditions Federer still managed to reach the semi-finals so he was keen to send a clear warning to the major challengers - world No.1 Rafael Nadal, defending champion Novak Djokovic and Scot Andy Murray who holds a dominant record over the Swiss star.
“This time it's different. I also played Doha which I didn't do last year so I actually came into the (2008) Australian Open not playing at all.
“This changes a lot because in a way of higher expectations obviously because last year was just a matter of playing the tournament - this time I will try to win it,'' he said.
“I don't come here to lose in the fourth round - those times are over.''
Federer betrays no false modesty, nor can he with his record.
“I'm always confident entering any grand slam really because of all the success I've had in the last six years.
“I don't remember any slam entering where I go, 'Oh God' I know it's not going to work out for me.
“I always feel I'm going to play well at the slam and it's going to take an incredible performance by somebody else to beat me - and that's what's happened over the last few years and I know it's exactly the same again this year.''
Federer described his Open draw as “tough but possible.''
He meets Italian Andreas Seppi in the first round and has former Open winner Marat Safin, Djokovic and American Andy Roddick in his half of the draw.
Seppi, he said, was a “tough opponent'' whom he beat in this year's Doha tournament in the second round.
Wawrinka was not bothered by Saturday's loss, stressing the nature of the eight-man tournament and was pleased to have reached the final on the eve of the Open.
Federer wasted little time against his friend and Beijing gold medal-winning doubles partner before a packed Kooyong stadium.
He raced through the opening set in just 25 minutes, taking service breaks in the opening, third and final games.
Federer immediately broke serve to take a 2-0 lead in the second set and clinched the match on his second championship point with an easy smash.
It was Federer's second win in the Kooyong tournament - he previously won here in 2005.
Earlier in the play-off for third Spain's Fernando Verdasco defeated Chilean Fernando Gonzalez 6-4 6-3.
AAP
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