I've improved since last year - Federer
World number one Roger Federer claims his game is better than at this stage last year after reaching the French Open semi-finals.
The 24-year-old Swiss star booked his place in the last four at Roland Garros for the second consecutive year with a 6-4 6-3 6-4 victory over Mario Ancic, the 12th seed from Croatia.
Federer, who won Wimbledon and the US Open in 2005 as well as the Australian Open in 2006, was defeated in the semis here last year by eventual champion Rafael Nadal.
But he is adamant his game has improved as he prepares to tackle third seed David Nalbandian on Friday.
“My physical form is quite similar compared to last year but I think my game is better this year,” said Federer.
“I also have more experience as I have played more games on clay.
“This is also the second consecutive time I have reached the semi-final so I have a better feeling about it.
“I would say that I have progressed as a whole and I have also found solutions that allow me to make things better on clay.”
Federer is expected to face arch-rival Nadal in the final on Sunday.
The pair faced each other in both the Monte Carlo and Rome finals this year, with the Spaniard prevailing twice over four and five sets respectively.
Nadal has also looked invincible this week, extending his unbeaten run on clay to 57 games.
“Everyone would love me and Rafael to play the final here except two players who will be standing in our way soon,” added Federer.
Nadal tomorrow plays his quarter-final clash against Serbia and Montenegro’s rising star Novak Djokovic.
If he wins, he will then have to oust either fourth seed Ivan Ljubicic or unseeded Frenchman Julien Benneteau – ranked 95th in the world – in the last four to reach the final, and a potential new chapter in the Federer-Nadal saga.
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