Tennis

Federer prepares for hard surface slog

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-08-19 11:49

MASON, Ohio - Roger Federer is settling in for the long haul on hard courts, saying on Tuesday his final in Canada was almost the perfect start to perhaps the most physically demanding portion of a long year.

"Now that we're on this kind of surface for eight months, I think this is a very important start for me, playing well on the hard courts again," the world No 2 said before his first workout at the ATP Cincinnati Masters.

Defending Cincinnati champion Federer battled through tight three-set triumphs in last week's ATP Toronto Masters quarterfinals and semifinals before falling to British star Andy Murray in the final.

"That's why I'm very happy with how I played in Toronto. I fought hard and was able to turn it around a bit and get those close matches going my way," Federer said.

Federer maintains his trademark icy calm demeanor with less than a fortnight before the Aug 30 start of the last Grand Slam of the season in New York.

He begins play in the second round at Cincinnati against Denis Istomin of Ukraine, who crushed fading American James Blake 6-3, 6-0.

"I expect it to be faster like the last few years," Federer said of the differences in the courts from one Masters event to another.

"I've done the switch from Montreal or Toronto to Cincinnati many, many times, so I know what to expect."