11-11-2005, 05:46 PM
From Hong Kong's South China Morning Post this morning :
Federer Plays Down His Chances of Shanghai Defence - Agence France-Presse
World number one Roger Federer has expressed doubts he is capable of successfully defending his Masters Cup title in Shanghai due to an ankle injury sustained last month.
"To be honest, I don't know my chances of winning the tournament here because of my foot," the Shanghai Daily yesterday quoted Federer, in Shanghai for the season-ending tournament beginning on Sunday, as saying.
"Definitely, I'm here trying to defend my title but health comes before success. So now I just hope I can play the opening game without any pain."
The Swiss superstar sustained the injury while practising four weeks ago and was forced to skip the Madrid and Paris Masters as well as the Basel tournament last week.
Despite playing down his chances, Federer's recovery has been fairly quick, which could spell bad news for his rivals in the eight man-field at the US$4.45-million tournament at the brand new Qi Zhong Stadium.
Injuries have forced the withdrawal of some of the biggest names for Shanghai, which gathers the top eight players for the season. Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt have pulled out with David Nalbandian and Gaston Gaudio named as their replacements.
Federer Plays Down His Chances of Shanghai Defence - Agence France-Presse
World number one Roger Federer has expressed doubts he is capable of successfully defending his Masters Cup title in Shanghai due to an ankle injury sustained last month.
"To be honest, I don't know my chances of winning the tournament here because of my foot," the Shanghai Daily yesterday quoted Federer, in Shanghai for the season-ending tournament beginning on Sunday, as saying.
"Definitely, I'm here trying to defend my title but health comes before success. So now I just hope I can play the opening game without any pain."
The Swiss superstar sustained the injury while practising four weeks ago and was forced to skip the Madrid and Paris Masters as well as the Basel tournament last week.
Despite playing down his chances, Federer's recovery has been fairly quick, which could spell bad news for his rivals in the eight man-field at the US$4.45-million tournament at the brand new Qi Zhong Stadium.
Injuries have forced the withdrawal of some of the biggest names for Shanghai, which gathers the top eight players for the season. Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt have pulled out with David Nalbandian and Gaston Gaudio named as their replacements.
"Hij heeft misschien nog weinig tegenstand, maar dat is wat anders. En ook niet waar trouwens".
Mooi van Isner, maar nu wel erg jammer dat Russell niet mee doet. Maar wel gunstig voor Querrey. Jammer dat Anderson niet doordrukte, maar dat kan Zeballos mooi doen.
Stunt Wawrinka zou leuk zijn, maar niet als ie vervolgens verliest van Djokovic. Maar als die dan weer verliest van Berdych, maakt het niet uit. Dus vannacht is inderdaad cruciaal.
Mooi van Isner, maar nu wel erg jammer dat Russell niet mee doet. Maar wel gunstig voor Querrey. Jammer dat Anderson niet doordrukte, maar dat kan Zeballos mooi doen.
Stunt Wawrinka zou leuk zijn, maar niet als ie vervolgens verliest van Djokovic. Maar als die dan weer verliest van Berdych, maakt het niet uit. Dus vannacht is inderdaad cruciaal.