Federer's Grand Slam dream still alive
Roger Federer believes his dreams of a career Grand Slam are still alive despite the muscle-bound nightmare of Rafael Nadal continuing to haunt him across Europe's clay courts.
Federer was beaten by the 21-year-old Spaniard in the Monte Carlo Masters final for the third year running, his seventh defeat in eight claycourt clashes with the player who has also swept up the last three French Opens.
The Swiss superstar boasts a Grand Slam title collection of 12 but Roland Garros remains frustratingly out of reach.
However, he refuses to admit that Sunday's 7-5, 7-5 defeat is merely the first step on Nadal's private road to a fourth trophy in Paris.
"I pushed Rafa and I feel I can beat him if I play the right way. I didn't have that feeling last year," said Federer who, in 2008, has lost his Australian Open title and laboured under glandular fever.
"But I'm feeling healthy and moving well. I have come back strongly and I'm happy with the way things are.
"I came back from the brink in the first round (when he was just two points from defeat against world number 137 Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo) and I beat some great players after that.
"My attacking game didn't work as well as it has in the past. But that can happen. I feel as if I'm awfully close."
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