Federer: "I Was Where I Wanted To Be"

© Getty ImagesFederer was looking to beat Novak Djokovic for the second straight year in Paris.

World No. 3 Roger Federer fell to top-ranked Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 in a Roland Garros semi-final re-match on Friday. Having come back from two sets down to rally past Juan Martin del Potro in the quarter-finals, Federer believed he was in-form heading into the final four showdown with Djokovic.

“Overall, I did feel my very best coming into the semis today,” said Federer. “I was where I wanted to be, but ran into an opponent who was just better today. Still, it gives me a little bit of a lift coming into the grass-court season now.”

Evaluating how the match went down, Federer was most disappointed about dropping the second set.

“I was actually feeling particularly well in the second set, so that one obviously hurts the most to lose. And the first set, too,” Federer said. “But in the third, I wasn't able to put a good game together anymore. And the return in particular, obviously with a two sets to love lead against Novak it's not the same match anymore.

“I would have liked to do better here at Roland Garros. I'm supported so much, and I won in 2009, also. So I wanted to re-experience this. Unfortunately, it was not possible at all during these two weeks.”

Read Novak & Roger: The Rivalry

Discuss On Facebook  | How To Watch

Read Djokovic, Nadal & Simon In DEUCE

Federer was looking to halt Djokovic’s bid to make history in Paris for the second straight year, having defeated the Serbian in 2011 to end his perfect 41-0 season start. With the victory, Djokovic is one match away from becoming the first player since Rod Laver to hold all four Grand Slam titles simultaneously. Djokovic’s opponent, Rafael Nadal, is bidding to break Bjorn Borg’s Open Era record of six Roland Garros titles.

When asked which of the two will feel more pressure in Sunday's final, Federer stated, “I think Novak has more pressure on him. To be in this situation you have to win three Grand Slams in a row again, which is more difficult… I was in the same situation twice, I think, for the Grand Slam.”

The 30-year-old Swiss will regroup as he heads to the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, where he is a five-time champion. He last hoisted the trophy at the ATP World Tour 250 grass-court event in 2008.