Federer faces multiple challenges in Hamburg

PARIS: Roger Federer, who risked annoying the ATP leadership in an attempt to save next week's $2.45-million Masters Series from losing its status, finds that for him the tournament has even greater importance than he anticipated.

Federer had already been keen to provide the under-threat tournament with a promotional fillip by regaining the title he has won three times before, and to boost his French Open hopes in a fortnight's time by delivering his first consistent clay court performance of the year.

Now, though, these things have become a matter of even greater urgency, for the most successful player of modern times is facing his biggest mini-crisis in more than three years.