Roger Federer may have found a way to compete with the Rafael Nadals and Novak Djokovics of the world once again.
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Federer advanced to the finals of the Gerry Weber Open for the ninth time in his career by defeating Kei Nishikori 6-3, 7-6 (4) on Saturday. The six-time champion, however, didn't realize he'd won the match after a Nishikori passing shot hit the net and fell backward.
Federer supporters would argue that the No. 4 player in the world was so focused in that he was just playing point to point. Federer said simply that he miscalculated the score.
"The crowd's applause was different, I looked at the referee and he was smiling, then I noticed Nishikori was at the net. I had to check the score. Of course, I was happy to accept the win," said the Swiss, who thought it happened for "probably the first time," ESPN.com reported Federer as saying.
Federer, an elder statesman on the ATP at the ripe old age of 32, could use his amnesia or poor math skills to advantage when Wimbledon starts on June 23. Federer could have a huge advantage if he is unfazed by facing break points, set points or match points he plays.
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He is a seven-time champion at Wimbledon and could have a better chance of adding to his record of 17 Grand Slam titles in England than he did in Roland Garros for the French Open - in which he lost in the fourth round.
Federer heads into the season's third major in a better position to make a run than he did at the French Open. Federer's wife Mirka gave birth to twin boys in early May, and he played just one match in the final three weeks of the clay season leading up to Roland Garros.
He already has hand more extensive time on grass and should be ready for Wimbledon. With top-ranked Rafael Nadal still suffering from a lingering back injury, a potential lingering injury to No. 2 Novak Djokovic's right wrist and Stanislas Wawrinka still trying to recapture his Australian Open form after losing to Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov in the semifinals of the Queen's Club Championships.
Federer will face Alejandro Falla in the Gerry Weber Open finals on Sunday.
Do you think Roger Federer has a chance to capture his eighth Wimbledon title? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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