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Federer quits Halle title defense

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HALLE, Germany -- Roger Federer pulled out of his regular Wimbledon warm-up event in Halle on Monday, blaming fatigue after losing to Rafael Nadal in Sunday's French Open final.

"In an attempt to prevent injury after the long final in Paris, I cannot defend my title at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle," the Swiss world number one wrote on his Web site.

"I look forward to returning in 2008."

Federer has won the German grass-court event for the past four years before going on to claim the Wimbledon crown on each occasion.

Organizrs said the change in his pre-Wimbledon preparation was down to a problem with his adductor muscles, but an ATP spokesman put the withdrawal down to "general fatigue".

"Of course we really regret it," co-organizer Ralf Weber said at a news conference on Monday. "Roger had played here for the last seven years and he gave everything for the tournament.

"I know Roger took the decision with a heavy heart. He will fly to Zurich, rest a few days and will probably fly straight to London."

Federer had been due to play Olivier Rochus in the first round of the tournament.

Blake fights back for victory

Meanwhile, on the court, James Blake came from a set and a break down to claim an encouraging 4-6 6-4 6-3 win over fellow-American Sam Querrey in the first round.

Blake, the world number eight, looked far from sure of himself early against Querrey as he lost the first set and immediately dropped his serve at the start of the second.

Crucially, the third seed managed to break back straight away and started coming to the net much more often on his way to victory in one hour 34 minutes.

"It's good to win one of these tight matches," Blake said. "I hope to go on a little run now. I felt great playing on grass last year and hopefully it will be the same now."

Marcos Baghdatis made an easier transition as he beat Gilles Simon of France 6-3 6-3 in the opening match on Stadium Court.

"I was a little bit nervous in my first tournament back on grass," said the Cypriot eighth seed, who reached the semifinals at Wimbledon last year. "But I'm feeling strong enough to win this."

Russia's Mikhail Youzhny, the seventh seed, had little difficulty seeing off the American Michael Russell 6-2 6-2 in a rain-interrupted match.

Fourth seed Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic also came through in straight sets, cutting short the comeback of Germany's Nicolas Kiefer with a 6-4 7-6 victory.

Kiefer, returning after a year out with a wrist injury, said he was just pleased to be back playing pain free.


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