Federer says he\'s \'playing freely with nothing to lose\' after advancing to fourth round in Paris

SHOWS: PARIS, FRANCE (MAY 31, 2019) (FFT-NO RESALES) 1.

ROGER FEDERER AT POST MATCH NEWS CONFERENCE AFTER WIN OVER CASPER RUUD AT FRENCH OPEN 2.

(SOUNDBITE)(English) ROGER FEDERER SAYING "Yeah, no I'm very happy, few months ago I didn't know what to expect with anything, really, at this point now I know where my level's at, I still don't know exactly where my absolute best is, you know, but I feel like it could be there, maybe not, you know, I'm happy to find out you know, either way, so I'm happy I'm putting myself in a position like this in the fourth round of the French Open, you know after having not played so many years here.

I think for me the first goal has been reached by getting deep into the tournament and knowing where the game's at, knowing where the fitness is, the mind, also now today with playing a (tie)breaker on clay, how to go through tougher points on clay because you have to construct them a little bit differently than, you know, on the hardcourts, or on the grass anyways.

So I'm very pleased how I'm feeling and how I'm playing and, you know, still trying to stay true to, you know, playing freely and with nothing to lose even though I know I will be the favorite in the next game but, regardless I'm gonna try to play as free as I can." STORY: After a cool first week the thermostat was turned up at Roland Garros on Friday as Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer both blazed a trail into the French Open fourth round for the 14th time.

They had shared that record with Budge Patty but moved above the American with two more dominant displays, although 11-times champion Nadal did drop his first set of the tournament.

Federer's opponent was 20-year-old Norwegian Casper Ruud who had matched his father Christian's feat of reaching the third round in 1999 -- the year 20-times Grand Slam champion Federer made his debut at the French Open and lost in the first round.

The 37-year-old Swiss duly dispatched the youngster although he was pushed to a tiebreak in the third set on his way to becoming the oldest player to reach the fourth round since Nicola Pietrangeli in 1972 with a 6-3 6-1 7-6(8) victory.

"Very pleased how I'm feeling and how I'm playing, and still trying to stay true to playing freely and with nothing to lose," Federer, trying to repeat his 2009 title run having missed the last three French Opens, told reporters.

Like Nadal, he will also face an Argentine next in the form of Leonardo Mayer who knocked out French veteran Nicolas Mahut.

(Production: David Grip)