 | MASTERS CUP FORMAT Two groups of four players Top two from each go through to semi-finals Winner of Group A plays runner-up in Group B etc |
Roger Federer believes victory at the Masters Cup would give him the perfect platform to dominate in 2005. The world number one heads to Houston looking for his 11th title of the year.
"I've already locked up the number one ranking so that puts away a lot of pressure. I can just concentrate on winning the title," said Federer.
"My goal is to stay as long as possible at number one next year. It seems like next year already. I want to keep the momentum of 2004 going."
The 23-year-old Swiss opens play at the season-ending event against Gaston Gaudio at 1900 GMT on Monday.
Among his many incredible achievements is a run of 18 matches undefeated against top-10 rivals, stretching back to his victory in Houston 12 months ago.
| MATCH SCHEDULE Monday: Federer v Gaudio 1900 GMT Tuesday: Hewitt v Moya
0100 GMT Tuesday: Safin v Coria
1900 GMT Wednesday: Henman v Roddick 0100 GMT |
"I would rather know I can beat all these guys," said Federer. "All the opponents know in the back of their minds they will have to do a lot to beat me.
"This year it has been everything going my way, all the big points.
"I have won many more matches where I could have lost. I've served big and gotten some aces on some big points."
And despite the French Open being the only Grand Slam title he is lacking, Federer insisted: "The most important one to me is Wimbledon. I would like to win three in a row."
Marat Safin looks to be the most likely challenger to Federer, having won indoor titles in Beijing in September, Madrid in October and Paris this month.
| MASTERS CUP GROUPS Red Group: Roger Federer (Swi) , Lleyton Hewitt (Aus), Carlos Moya (Spa), Gaston Gaudio (Arg) Blue Group: Andy Roddick (USA), Marat Safin (Rus), Guillermo Coria (Arg), Tim Henman (GB) |
"I want to finish the year really well," said the Russian. "You have to play well all year to fight for number one. "At the start of this year I was 89th and I will finish fourth. Whatever I do here I will be very happy.
"Hopefully next year I will be more stable all year. That's the most important thing."
World number two Andy Roddick came to Houston as the number one last year and is determined to get the top spot back, despite a losing 8-1 record against Federer.
"I feel like I'm close. It's tough to go from close to get over that little hump," said Roddick.
"Roger gets me when we get into extended matches. It's more of me getting into an extended mindset.
"With Roger, you can't say, 'This is a weakness.' You have to say, 'What can I do most effectively against him?'"
MMIX
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