Federer plays down Nadal rivalry before French Open

PARIS, May 27 (Reuters) World number one Roger Federer is playing down talk of a great rivalry between him and French Open champion Rafael Nadal.

''Let's take it slow with this rivalry thing,'' Federer said ahead of Roland Garros, which starts tomorrow.

''When you have a rivalry, one wins a match then the other one wins the next match, and so on. That's not the case as he has won our last encounters.

''And he's been on the circuit only for a couple of years.'' The Swiss has never beaten Nadal on clay and has defeated him only once in six meetings - last season in the Miami Masters Series final after Nadal threw away a two-set lead.

The 19-year-old Spaniard beat Federer in last year's Paris semi-final and appears to be the only player on the circuit who can discomfort the Swiss.

This year, Nadal won the Monte Carlo and Rome Masters Series titles, each time beating Federer in the final.

However, Federer thinks he has what it takes to win the only grand slam missing from his trophy room this year.

''I'm feeling good. I've had a very good preparation and played well in Monaco,'' he said. ''I'm pleased with my level of play.

''Maybe I feel a little bit of extra pressure. But in any grand slam, you feel a bit of tension a couple of days ahead of your first match.'' Federer was due to start his tournament against Arnaud Clement but the Frenchman withdrew yesterday with a groin injury and the Swiss will now face a lucky loser.

Federer has been handed a tough second week in Roland Garros.

The second quarter of the draw is impressive, featuring former champions Gaston Gaudio, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Carlos Moya plus Nikolay Davydenko, all of whom could test the Swiss on his way to the final.

Should he pass these tests, Federer said he had no preference about his opponent in the final.

''I don't really care who I face in the final,'' he said.

''I'm not interested in the bottom part of the draw for the moment.

''But being in the final with Nadal would be great for both of us and also great for tennis.'' REUTERS AY BD1227