Courier's Verdict on Federer, Nadal Showdown http://www.atptennis.com/en/newsandscores/news/2005/RG_courier_verdict.asp As the box office opened for The Champions Masters at the Royal Albert Hall in London (29th November ?4th December), defending champion and two-time French Open winner Jim Courier began looking forward to the match that everyone wants to see ?Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal - in the Roland Garros semifinals . With Federer and Nadal set to meet in the final four on Friday in Paris , Courier, promoting the season-ending finale to the Delta Tour of Champions, told BBC Radio Five Live that the match could turn into one of the all-time classics. As soon as the draw came out everybody took a sharp intake of breath,?said Courier. It's a little bit of a pity that they can't meet in the final, but when you look at the other side of the draw, with Nikolay Davydenko and Mariano Puerta, this really is the de-facto final. The last time they played in the finals in Miami, they had a five setter, and Nadal had a match point and gave him everything he'd got. He certainly doesn't fear Federer ?he knows he can match up with him. But Federer has a little more experience and he wants this title very badly. Both Nadal and Federer have come through the draw physically unscathed, so they're both going to be fine. This is as good as it's going to get - there's been two days of hype to build it up - it's fantastic.? The American, who won back-to-back French Opens in 1991 and 1992, and also lifted the Champions Masters trophy in his debut on the Delta Tour of Champions last year, had nothing but praise for the two players. Federer's game is as good as anyone that's ever played,?said Courier. What he is playing against right now is history ?and whether he can become the greatest player of all time. To have a career Grand-Slam at his age would be phenomenal, particularly considering how specialised the game has become. There are very few guys that win Roland Garros and go on to win others on different surfaces ?it's the most specialised of the four surfaces. Shot for shot and with his ability to play under big-match pressure, I'd put him up against anybody, but he has to stand the test of time if he wants to be up there with Rod Laver and Pete Sampras.? And although Courier predicted a Federer victory, he paid tribute to the refreshing attitude that Nadal has brought to tennis. You have to love the way that he comes onto the court,?said Courier. He does the coin toss like a boxer, and sprints back to the baseline ?I've never seen anyone do the pre-match the way he does, but it's a good way to get the nerves out. He handled the hype in his third round match against Richard Gasquet , so he's got a bit of experience of it, and he's had some funky things happen, like with the crowd getting on him in the Grosjean match. I think he'll settle in, but I think he'll start pretty nervous.? 简单地说 Courier看好Federer -- Political,opinionated,energetic and determined. You've triumphed over tragedy and proved that nothing can stop you. Stay beautiful,darling! --

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