Federer simply raises his game under pressure

TENNIS/French Open: Players like Roger Federer don't need memories like elephants, don't need little black books to scribble down names. It's easier for the world number one to remember the names of the people who have beaten him than the log pile of those who have lost.

Take this year. There were just three names on the "beat me" list as he faced Croatian Mario Ancic for a place in his eighth successive Grand Slam semi-final. The "beat me" list remains eight as again Federer poured on the intensity at chosen moments to win 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 against the 22-year-old.

As is often the case with Federer, the match appeared to be close and occasionally he came under huge pressure but just seamlessly raised his game and masterfully turned it around. In the second set he trailed 2-0 and Ancic was jumping all over his service game. Suddenly the Swiss player was 0-40 down and the prospect of a 3-0 lead became a probability. Five straight points sorted out that mini crisis and Federer won the game for 2-1. Soon after, with Ancic leading 3-1, five straight games again sorted out the set for Federer leaving his opponent floundering.

It was supposed to be a match where Ancic would demonstrate just how far he has come. The benchmark for most is always against the top player, but Federer was unshakable and he goes into his semi-final against David Nalbandian in all likelihood having spent less time on court than any of the others left in the competition. That will, admittedly, depend on today's two quarter-final matches.

But the energy left in the Swiss player's legs should be helpful, especially if he advances past the grinder, Nalbandian, to face a player like Rafael Nadal in the final. While that scenario is tempting fate, Federer knows he has had it pretty easy so far.

"Yeah, it's definitely going to help because it can sometimes cost you a tournament or a match if you play a very tough one (match)," said a relaxed Federer after the match. "Then you come out and you have to kind of change your tactics because of fatigue. That's the worst. I feel I can back up matches now. I got two days, so I guess fitness won't be a factor anymore."

Nalbandian will not be thinking the same thing. The third seed spent four longs sets battling it out against Russia's Nikolay Davydenko. In the opening exchanges, it appeared that Nalbandian would have it all his way and raced to a tidy 6-3, 6-3 lead.

Seeded just three places above the Argentinian, it was expected that the Russian, who like Lleyton Hewitt and Rafael Nadal, does not tend to pack his bags before the last ball is struck, replied in the third set 6-2 to prolong the evening.

But Nalbandian's clay court nous won out, earning him the meeting with the Grand Slam chaser, Federer.

"I expect a very difficult match and especially a physical match," said Federer.

Well, that should suit.