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Wednesday, Jan 10, 2007
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Roger Federer eyes Grand Slam sweep

Roger Federer. — file Photo: AP

MELBOURNE: Roger Federer will aim to pace himself in the early part of the year as he bears down on his career goal of winning all four Grand Slams in the same season.

But the ambitious battle plan of the World No.1 also includes a run at a second consecutive and third overall Australian Open title when the major begins on Monday.

In his usual warm-up, the Swiss heads the field at this week's elite eight-man warm-up event at Melbourne's Kooyong Club. Federer opens round-robin play on Wednesday against Czech Radek Stepanek.

Other opening day contests will pit former Australian Open champion Marat Safin against Argentine David Nalbandian, Andy Roddick against Tommy Haas and Briton Andy Murray making his debut here playing Ivan Ljubicic.

That contest will be a re-match of last week's Doha final, which the Croatian won on the way to the title in the first week of the season.

Laidback approach

Federer's confident, laid-back approach after compiling a 92-5 season in 2006 remains the same — quiet, intense effort with extreme attention to detail.

"My focus is the same as it's been the past few years," the winner of all of the 2006 Grand Slams save Roland Garros said on Tuesday. "It starts with the Australian Open.

"You have to play well here. If I win the Open, then it gets interesting. I'll know in a few week's time if that's a goal that I can aim for."

Federer said that after the major ends on January 28, he will take it easy through February. He has been confirmed for the Dubai event at the end of next month, his next scheduled tournament after Australia.

"I have to pace myself more in the beginning of the season, but I'll be playing a lot from February on," he said.

"I have to listen to my body. I was injury-free in 2006, I had a good year and I hope to keep it that way."

Despite his odds-on chances of creating history, the modest world-beater is keeping his feet, as usual, firmly on the ground.

"I'm happy to win one or two Slams a season. You can't win all the time but I hope to keep it up for a few more years."

Safin, who won the Open in 2005, is playing for the first time since that triumph after missing the 2006 edition with a knee injury.

"I watched last year on an exercise machine. I missed playing and being a part of tennis," said the Russian former World No. 1, now 26th. — AFP

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