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Federer oozes confidence

By Ossian Shine
June 16, 2005

Top seed Roger Federer will fear nobody at Wimbledon.

"I'm really very confident," the Swiss world number one told Reuters as he looked ahead to next week's grasscourt grand slam. Federer was named number one seed on Wednesday by the All England Club and will learn his first opponent when the draw is made on Thursday.

The champion opens centre-court play on Monday.

Last year's runner-up Andy Roddick was promoted from his ranking of four to be named second seed while world number two and 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt was named third seed.

Federer said he expects those two to be the biggest threats to his title.

"Andy and Lleyton are the biggest dangers for me," he said. "I feel one of the two will be against me in the final."

Newly-crowned French Open champion Rafael Nadal was seeded fourth but Federer said he does not expect the Spaniard to fulfill that expectation.

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"I would be quite surprised...even though he beat me (in the French Open semi-finals)," Federer said.

"Nothing against his game, I mean he beat me, but I saw him playing in Halle and to be honest I thought he would be better (on grass) than he was.

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"Of course he could win the tournament because he is so talented but I would give Tim (Henman)
the edge rather than Nadal."

British hope Henman, four-times a semi-finalist at the All England Club, was rewarded for his record at the tournament by being bumped up three places from his world ranking of nine to sixth seed.

No Briton has won the men's singles since Fred Perry in 1936.

The season's third grand slam will take place from June 20 to July 3.

Having successfully defended his crown last year, Federer is expecting an easier ride in 2005.

"Coming into Wimbledon this time last year I had a lot more pressure," the 23-year-old said. "I think this year will be much easier.

"I lived through it once...the pressure will still be there but it is not quite the same.

"I am looking forward to it."
Ossian Shine
Source: REUTERS
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