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Federer looking at recent funk differently

OEIRAS (Portugal): Roger Federer prefers to look at his recent funk differently. More like a part of overall progress.

Federer, who reached his first final of 2008 with a victory at the Estoril Open on Saturday, has the unfortunate task of improving his stuttering play in the coming weeks on his least suited surface — clay.

“For the moment, I’m looking to see where I am,” Federer said on Saturday after overcoming another sluggish start to beat 104th-ranked Denis Gremelmayr of Germany 2-6, 7-5, 6-1 in the semifinals.

“I’m spending a lot of time on the surface to get used to the sliding and everything. It’s been 10 months since I played on clay, so I’m already happy with this result already.”

The top-ranked Swiss star, who hasn’t faced any player ranked lower than No. 68 on his way to the final against No. 4 Nikolay Davydenko, said it is the preparation that is the most important thing.

“You got to be able to handle all conditions if you want to win the big titles. I’m not chasing quarterfinals of tournaments anymore — I’m chasing wins,” Federer said. “Closing a tournament with a title is always better. It would be great, especially on the clay.”

Federer recruited coach Jose Higueras just for that, especially considering his previous best result this year was reaching the semifinals at the Australian Open in January.

Higueras is a former player who coached Michael Chang and Jim Courier to French Open titles — the only Grand Slam silverware missing from the 26-year-old Federer’s trophy cabinet. — AP

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