Fed backed to win again

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), June 19, 2008

JOHN McENROE believes Roger Federer's "clear vision" of how to play on grass will again see him crowned Wimbledon champion this year.

World No 1 Federer has struggled for form this year, winning just one ATP title prior to the recent French Open, where the Swiss was humbled in straight sets by Rafael Nadal in the final.

However, Federer's third defeat in succession against the Spaniard on the Parisian clay was quickly forgotten as he eased into the grass court season by claiming his customary Wimbledon warm-up title at Halle on Sunday - his fifth win in a row at the German event and 55th career ATP crown.

The 26-year-old's record in grass-court finals now reads played 10, won 10, and McEnroe, a three-time winner at Wimbledon thinks there is little chance of that trend being bucked in 2008.

Asked whether the inconsistencies that have blighted Federer's season to date will be less apparent on grass, McEnroe said: "I think so, because there's not as many guys that are as comfortable playing on grass.

"There are more clay-court specialists because the grass season is so short.

"There only seems to be a handful of guys who have this real clear vision of what they want to do on grass. With Roger, when you watch him it's hard to see him losing to anybody, the guy is so good."