Paris is Always a Challenge for Roger Federer

Written by: Staff on 14th November 2011

BNP Paribas 2011 Masters Tennis Tournament

Paris is Always a Challenge for Roger Federer

Roger Federer of Switzerland shows his trophy after beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France at their final match at the BNP Paribas 2011 Masters Tennis tournament in Paris, France, 13 November 2011. EPA/CAMILLE FARGES |

Paris has always been something of a frustrating city for Roger Federer. Even when he was dominating the game he struggled to complete his sweep of major titles, needing 11 attempts, until 2009, before he finally lifted the trophy at Roland Garros. And despite winning just about everything there is to win in the game, a Masters title at Bercy still remained out of his grasp.

Until now. At his ninth attempt he’s finally made it, and he is only the second player – along with Andre Agassi – to win both titles in the French capital. He now has 18 Masters Series titles, just one behind record holder Rafael Nadal.

“I couldn’t be more happy. Look, I have had many attempts trying to win Paris-Bercy, and for some reason, you know, I wasn’t able to win it earlier. But this one obviously feels great, and it’s a special victory for sure,” he said after his straight-sets win over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

His late-season good form, which also includes a title in his home town of Basle, will send him into the ATP Tour World finals full of confidence, but he cautions that competition at the O2 Arena in London promises to be tougher than ever.

“I think these groups we’re going to see have potential for everybody to win the tournament,” he said. “It’s not like in maybe other years where there was one or two such clear favorites, and after that it would have been a huge surprise. I think this year it’s much more even, and that makes then the groups nicely balanced, so I’m looking forward to that.”

“DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE”

Topics: Andre Agassi, Roger Federer