When going gets tough, Federer may have weakness

	Roger Federer hasn't often been tested recently, but in pressure-packed matches he appears to have more weaknesses. Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
	MAILBAG Jon Wertheim will answer questions from SI.com users in his mailbag every Wednesday. Your name: Your e-mail address: Your home town: Enter your question:

To try and address as many topical questions as possible, let's do a daily "Baguette" for the duration of the Australian Open, which I'll begin writing from on Saturday.

I've been perusing my library of classic matches. They all involve the best players of the open era, Rd Laver, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, Boris Becker, etc. It's occurred to me: Does Roger Federer have a "classic" match to his credit -- get this -- as a winner? Last year's Italian Open final and Marat Safin's Aussie Open semi win come to mind. Perhaps Agassi in the U.S. Open a few years ago? I really can't think of any (Rafael Nadal's loss in Key Biscayne?).
-- Andrew Simon, Hong Kong

Interesting point. Off the top of my head, I can't recall Federer winning a real "gut check" match, even something on the order of Sharapova-Pin on Tuesday. I suppose his defeat of Andy Roddick in Shanghai, staving off match points, comes close. But -- note to the ATP -- the round-robin format somehow minimizes the drama. Even in the rare instance when the scores are close (the defeat of Ivan Ljubicic in Key Biscayne), there's seldom a sense that Federer is, as the cliché goes, stealing victory from the jaws of defeat.

I would contend that this charge -- not unlike "he lacks a rival" -- is a smidgen unfair, if not altogether counterintuitive. Given the comprehensive beat-downs he administers, it only stands to reason that he's pulled few "Boise State finishes."

However, I think there's a sense -- lingering from the Safin match, lingering from the ancient Lleyton Hewitt Davis Cup epic, lingering from the Nadal finals on clay -- that if you can force the guy into a pressure situation, he might be vulnerable. In a perverse way, Federer could probably use a "Sampras-Corretja" or even an "Agassi-Baghdatis" to cement his reputation as a warrior. (I suspect he would contend that winning three Slams a year as a matter of ritual shows just as much heart.)

What are you hearing from the Jennifer Capriati camp? Is her shoulder healed? Is she planning to play again soon? Also, has Fabiola Zuluaga officially retired?
-- Dale Stafford, Atlanta

I hear that she's not only considering a comeback, she's dead set on it. I paraphrase here, but a source close to her told me She has her good her days and bad days, but she is totally determined not to have played her last match. Given the relative power vacuum in women's tennis, I can very easily see the Capster, even at age 30, back in the mix. Also, perhaps these two years off have ultimately served her well. She hasn't beaten up her body and grown fatigued traveling (and playing in 120-degree heat!) This may have had a restorative effect on her body.

As for Fabulous Fabiola Zuluaga, yes, she is retired. Apart from her euphonious name, we also liked her for her taste in men. She married a sportswriter.

Have not seen hide nor hair of Amy Frazier since the U.S. Open. She did not defend her title in Quebec City and is not entered at the Australian Open. With just three more wins to her 500th career victory to go, please tell me she has not quietly retired.
-- Brad Williams, Chicago

According to our friend John Dolan at the WTA, Frazier seems to be mulling her career and may play Indian Wells and/or Key Biscayne. She's not officially retired, but the odometer is obviously down to its last few ticks.

At what point did the men give up the traditional post-match handshake and adopt the up-high man-shake? Any idea who started it?
-- Dave, Hong Kong

Diego Nargiso and Tommy Ho, first round at Indianapolis, 1990.

OK, the main question: Is this the year Federer, the true Sportsman of the Year, wins the French? I say yes. You say...
-- Joe Caranante, Tampa, Fla.

Unquestionably.

Marginalia

• Jim Bartle of Huaraz, Peru, writes: "If you have the chance, you should talk to Jimmy Arias, or listen to his commentary on ESPN International, if you can. On Tuesday he was watching Nadal warm up and immediately noticed the new service motion, then went into detail about the change. Very sharp."

• Several of you sent this fine article from the Independent.

• Here's what we really look for in a girlfriend.

	McEnroe
	The Queen

• World TeamTennis is currently accepting applications for the Novo Nordisk Donnelly Awards, two one-time $5,000 scholarships given annually to two young people, ages 14-21, who have diabetes and play tennis competitively in tournaments or on their school team. The awards are sponsored by Novo Nordisk, a world leader in diabetes care, and are to be used for education, tennis development and/or medical care. Applications must be received by May 1, along with two letters of recommendation and a short essay regarding the significance of diabetes in the applicant's life. For more details on the Novo Nordisk Donnelly Awards and to download an application form, visit www.WTT.com.

• Ivan H. of New York City sends us this lookalike (at right).