¤ Rafael Nadal is favourite in Rome and Paris : Federer ¤
It may be almost a month until the French Open begins but the mind games between the world's two best players on red clay, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, have already begun, with both denying they are the favourite for the title. Having won his first Roland Garros crown last summer and picked up three of the past four grand slam titles, Federer might be entitled to go into Paris as top dog. But the manner in which Nadal won his sixth straight Monte Carlo title nine days ago has thrust the Spaniard back to the top of the tree, at least on clay. That all makes for a tasty sub-plot to this week's Masters 1000 event here in Rome for the two are due to meet in the semi-finals. It would be their first clash since Federer beat Nadal to win the title in Madrid last May and would give both players an indication of where they stand. Federer, never one to shy away from mind games, was first off the mark. "The guy's been on an absolute tear on clay for pretty much five ye...
