rogerfederer.com - Opponents in Paris

Opponents in Paris

Roger was given a very favourable path through the French Open in Friday's draw. He will begin his bid for a fourth consecutive major title against Arnaud Clément of France; Roger has won their last five matches. Clement is a former top-10 player but is only 10-10 this year and is now ranked No. 56.

Roger has won seven of the last 11 Grand Slam tournaments, but the French Open is the only major he has never captured. He lost to eventual champion Rafael Nadal of Spain in the 2005 semifinals.

Others in Roger's section of the draw include 2002 Wimbledon semifinalist Xavier Malisse of Belgium, 2004 Olympic gold medalist Nicolas Massu of Chile, No. 12 Mario Ancic of Croatia, No. 13 Nicolas Kiefer of Germany and No. 20 Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic, who upset Roger at the Athens Games.

Still, Roger and No. 2 Nadal both managed to avoid past French Open champions Gaston Gaudio, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Carlos Moya, all Spaniards who wound up in No. 3 David Nalbandian's quarter.

Theoretical quarter finals:

Roger (n°1) - Tommy Robredo (n°7)

David Nalbandian (n°3) - Nikolay Davydenko (n°6)

Andy Roddick (n°5) - Ivan Ljubicic (n°4)

James Blake (n°8) - Rafael Nadal (n°2)

Roger and Roland-Garros

1999 : First round

Lost to Patrick Rafter (AUS)

2000 : Rund 16

Lost to Alex Corretja (ESP)

2001 : Quarter finals

Lost to Alex Corretja (ESP)

2002 : First round

Lost to Hicham Arazi (MAR)

2003 : First round

Lost to Luis Horna (PER)

2004 : Third round

Lost to Gustavo Kuerten (BRE)

2005 : Sami finals

Lost to Rafael Nadal (ESP)