“I thought the rhythm was very high,” said Federer of his match with Kohlschreiber. “We played a lot of tough points. I really thought from my side it was an excellent match.”

Top 10ers Andy Murray, Andy Roddick, Gilles Simon and Gael Monfils headline the Aegon Championships this week at the Queen’s Club, where the four-time champ Roddick takes the favorites position after the withdrawal of defending champion Rafael Nadal.

French wildcard Josselin Ouanna ousted former No. 1 Marat Safin 7-6(2), 7-6(4), 4-6, 3-6, 10-8 in the biggest upset of the day.

“I don’t know how I’m going turn it around,” Blake said. “I’ve played worse before and turned it around and had some good results — hopefully this time it’ll be the same. I’ll have some bad times and there will be plenty of ups too hopefully still after my career. If I don’t start playing better than I did today, I’ll be out (of the French Open) early though. I need to make some adjustments in the next three weeks.”

Blake is 1-4 on clay in live-rubber Davis Cup singles matches during his career.

Watch for: (1) Roddick vs. Gulbis 2nd round; (7) Kunitsyn vs. Tommy Haas 2nd round; Chris “Penthouse” Guccione vs. Guillermo “The Juice” Canas 1st round, winner to face (4) Stepanek; all-American in Taylor Dent vs. Bobby Reynolds, winner to face (8) Ginepri; (6) Querrey vs. (WC) Marcos Baghdatis; (3) Blake vs. Vince “Ain’t Afraida Ya” Spadea; (5) Fish vs. Lleyton Hewitt, winner to possible face (WC) John Isner; Kei Nishikori vs. Gilles Muller, winner to face (2) del Potro.

Who are the players to beat as week two begins at the Australian Open? Sean Randall breakdown down the men’s Sweet 16.

As I wrote yesterday, this final week of the regular ATP tennis season really is going out with a bang.

We are a week removed and the tennis world is still buzzing over Roger Federer’s US Open triumph.

Make it 27 straight wins and climbing now for Rafael Nadal after last night’s impressive 6-7(12), 6-2, 6-1 performance over Richard Gasquet at the Rogers Cup in Toronto last night.