Fitter Federer wants No 1 tag again

ROGER Federer has been experimenting with new tactics that he hopes will enable him to fulfil his 2009 goals of regaining the world No1 ranking and equalling Pete Sampras' record of 14 grand slam titles.

The Swiss was ousted from the top of the rankings by Rafael Nadal last August and his aura of invincibility was broken by defeat in the Wimbledon final before silencing doubters with victory in the US Open against Andy Murray – his 13th grand slam crown.

And the 27-year-old is feeling much fitter this season compared to last year where he was recovering from glandular fever.

"I expect 2009 to be a good year and, for various reasons, I am under less pressure too," Federer told a news conference in Doha, which is hosting this week's Qatar Open.

"I have been dominating for several years and obviously I think I can do it again. I have a very strong technique ... I am mentally and tactically also quite strong," he added. "I have that ability to decide to how much should I attack and defend. Hopefully, I can win more titles this year. This time last year, I was sick. But now I am fully fit."

He said playing in last week's exhibition event in Abu Dhabi, where he lost in the semi-finals to Andy Murray, had given him the chance to try out some new tactics. "I practised a lot recently. I tried out many new things in Abu Dhabi – in volleying, charging to the net and playing defensive. Since it was an exhibition event I could do it. But it helped me know where I stood and make those small adjustments," he said.

This month's Australian Open offers Federer his next chance to match Sampras' grand slam record and he is relishing the opportunity after losing in the semi-finals last year in the start of a string of setbacks he suffered in 2008.

"I have many goals for 2009. One of them is to regain my top ranking and another is to win at least one more grand slam," said Federer. "Every grand slam I win will be more meaningful to me. When I win the first one in 2009 it could equal Pete Sampras' record. Everything is going to be special. I have been dominating the field for the past several years. 2008 was a good and bad year, but that has not changed my perspective."

Federer said he faced more challengers than in recent years with world Nos3 and 4, Novak Djokovic and Murray, joining him and Nadal as the dominant forces.

"I think the four of us have moved far ahead of the rest of the top ten. The top-four rankings can keep changing often, there are lot of possibilities to this in 2009," said the Swiss, who is just 20 points ahead of Djokovic in the ATP standings.

Depending on their performances this week, Djokovic could overtake Federer in the rankings but the Swiss said he was not unduly concerned. "I'm not worried about it. Anyway it's not the number one spot," he said with a laugh.

Meanwhile, fourth-seeded Andy Roddick and No5 Gael Monfils won in straight sets yesterday in the first round of the Qatar Open. Roddick beat Ivan Navarro, of Spain, 6-1, 6-3 after breaking twice in each set.

Monfils of France fired seven aces in a 6-2, 6-2 win over Jan Hernych of the Czech Republic, who committed 28 unforced errors.

Third-seeded Marin Cilic, of Croatia, and fifth-seeded Rainer Schuettler, of Germany, advanced to the second round of the season-opening Chennai Open in India. . Cilic needed only one break in each set to beat Alberto Martin, of Spain, 6-4, 6-4, and Schuettler held on to beat Indian wild card Prakash Amritraj 6-2, 4-6, 6-1.

The eighth-seeded Marcel Granollers, of Spain, also advanced, beating Lee Hyung-taik of South Korea 6-4, 7-5.

• Defending champions the United States and hosts Australia lost their opening Hopman Cup ties in Perth after lacklustre displays against Slovakia and Germany respectively.

Dominika Cibulkova eased past Meghann Shaughnessy 6-2, 6-2, while Dominik Hrbaty tamed James Blake 6-3, 4-6, 7-6. The Slovakian duo completed a 3-0 rout with a 6-4, 7-6 win over Shaughnessy and Blake in the doubles.

Germany triumphed in a deciding mixed doubles tie-breaker to defeat Australia 2-1 in the other Group A clash.