1 Jun 2009

Federer now the favourite in Paris

6:05 pm on 1 June 2009

Roger Federer will take to centre court in Paris for his fourth-round tennis match against the German Tommy Haas still getting used to the idea that he's now the favourite to win a maiden French Open title.

After 31 consecutive victories at Roland Garros the defending champion Rafael Nadal of Spain lost in 4 sets to the Swede Robin Soderling in a huge upset.

So with the Serb no.4 Novak Djokovic also out, Federer is the top remaining seed along with Britain's Andy Murray.

It's the Swiss No.2's best chance to finally pick up the only grand slam title to have eluded him, and to equal Pete Sampras's record of 14 major titles.