Greatest Hitter: Roger Federer

On June 7, as Roger Federer was on his way to equaling Pete Sampras’ record of 14 Grand Slam victories by winning the French Open, James Blake and a group of fellow pros watched on a television in the players’ lounge at the Aegon Championships at The Queen’s Club in London, a warm-up event to Wimbledon.

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Injured Nadal will travel to Wimbledon

Rafael Nadal has not given up on defending his Wimbledon crown and will travel to London next week as he battles persistent knee problems. The world number one has undergone two days of medical tests in Barcelona amid fears he would be forced to miss the grass court grand slam.

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Soderling fights back to secure final place

Sweden’s Robin Soderling came from 4-1 behind in the final set to defeat 12th seed Fernando Gonzalez in a thrilling battle of the big hitters to reach the French Open final at Roland Garros on Friday. Soderling, who shocked defending champion Rafael Nadal in the fourth round, continued his remarkable Parisian run by posting a 6-3 7-5 5-7 4-6 6-4 victory over Chilean Gonzalez in an epic match that lasted three hours and 28 minutes. The 23rd seed is through to his first grand slam final, where he will now meet either Roger Federer or Juan Martin del Potro

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Can Federer finally flourish at the French Open?

World tennis number two Roger Federer has given his fans some hope that this year could be the year he finally conquers all at Roland Garros. The 27-year-old from Switzerland has won 13 Grand Slam titles, but never the clay court-contested French Open. Federer’s nemesis, Rafael Nadal, has already claimed the Australian Open in a strong start to 2009, and his preparations towards a fifth consecutive French Open title seemed to be all in order until the Swiss player struck at the Madrid Open this week

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Djokovic to play Nadal in Rome final

Defending champion Novak Djokovic will play world number one Rafael Nadal in the final of the Rome Masters after contrasting semifinal victories on Sunday. Djokovic edged past world number two Roger Federer 4-6 6-3 6-3 while Nadal brushed aside 12th seed Fernando Gonzalez 6-3 6-3 at the Foro Italico. Serbian ace Djokovic needs to beat Nadal on Sunday to retain his world number three spot ahead of Andy Murray.

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Nadal to play Djokovic in Monte Carlo final

Rafael Nadal beat Andy Murray in straight sets to reach the final of the Monte Carlo Masters where he will play Serbia’s Novak Djokovic on Sunday. Nadal will be bidding for his fifth straight title in the principality but was made to work for his 6-2 7-6 victory by Scot Murray who once again showed his growing adaptability to clay.

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