Federer emerges as French Open dark horse

Just a handful of days ago, Roger Federer was sure he would never win a tournament on clay.

The slow, measured surface did not suit his all-action, aggressive style, the young Swiss thought.

But with just four days to go before the French Open -- the premier claycourt event on the tennis calendar -- Federer finds himself among the front-runners for the Roland Garros title.

A sparkling seven days in Hamburg on the Rothenbaum clay last week has changed his expectations and pundits' perceptions.

"I never thought I could win a tournament on clay," the 20-year-old Federer said after walloping former world number one Marat Safin to clinch the Hamburg Masters crown.

"Because when I came on the tour, I lost my first 11 matches on clay.

"But now...my expectations for the French Open are pretty high. First of all I just want to defend my quarter-finals in Paris like last year, because last year it was a good tournament for me."

Last time, Federer was shunted out of the quarters by Spain's Alex Corretja, a claycourt specialist.

SPEAKS VOLUMES

That Corretja went on to reach the final -- his second at Roland Garros -- where he lost to Gustavo Kuerten, speaks volumes for the Spaniard's quality.

That Federer beat Kuerten in Hamburg speaks volumes for the fast-rising Swiss.

"I guess it feels like I can beat anybody in the world if I can beat Guga (Kuerten) 6-0 on clay," he beamed after his 6-0 1-6 6-2 victory over the Brazilian.

"This gives you confidence, for sure.

"I'm very surprised at the way I am playing but this year seams to be a very good one.

"Even though I have had my downs in Rome and Monte Carlo, I really have been playing well ahead of the French Open," the former junior world number one said.

"Of course everybody wants to win the French Open -- and I also want to win it. Now I have played enough matches to have confidence coming to the French Open.

"The balls suit me better there. I'm looking forward to it. I hope I won't get too tough a draw.

"I grew up playing on clay and indoors. My first results really came only indoors.

VERY BEST

"When I first started playing on clay, I was always playing tight.

"I couldn't play well in the important moments. I'm very happy to get good results now on clay, indoors, outdoors, all over."

A major breakthrough for the Swiss was at Wimbledon last year when he ended Pete Sampras's 31-match winning streak on the slick All England Club turf.

He then lost to Tim Henman in the quarter-finals but the victory over Sampras gave Federer the belief that he could live with, and beat, the very best.

It has also left the Swiss with a great affection for the grasscourt grand slam event, and he answers a no-nonsense "Wimbledon" when asked which of the big four he would like to win first.

But for now, the red Roland Garros clay is in his thoughts and although Federer does not include himself a favourite for the event, he is sure to pose a threat.

"I think, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Carlo Moya or Kuerten will be favourites," he said. "Although I have won in Hamburg I don't see myself as a favourite.

"The conditions are different there, you have to get used to it. It's all best-of-five matches. You can only say who's the favourite after three or four rounds.

"(Andre) Agassi is surely a favourite as well, he had a break for a week and will be tough to beat."