Having tested his skills against the numero uno of men's tennis, Rohan Bopanna says playing solid game at crunch situations is what sets apart a champion from the rest.

"I learnt that I have to be really solid. Playing the crucial points is the key," Bopanna said after his 7-6 (4), 6-2 loss to the world number one Roger Federer [Images] in the first round of the USD 800,000 Gerry Weber Open in Halle on Wednesday.

"You have to know when to get your first serves and the returns in. He (Federer) played percentage tennis on key points. For instance, he came up with strong serves on breakpoints," the 26-year old from Coorg said.

Bopanna started with a double breakpoint in his very first serving game, before holding his serve.

He averted another breakpoint in the third game before settling down to play some good tennis.

"I was a bit nervous to start with ... I did not get much chance on his serve. He doesn't have a really fast serve but he places it so well," the world number 267 said.

The Indian Davis Cupper played a couple of good points in the tie-breaker and hung in there till 4-4 before the Swiss Master stepped his game up a notch.

Federer then shifted gears and pulled away, breaking Bopanna twice in the second set.

"He pushed his game to another level, and I was trying to do a little more," said the Indian whose first serve percentage came down to 32 in the second set.

"I tried to push more on the second serve because he was returning better."

Bopanna had two breakpoints in that final set, but could not take it.

On the first, Federer hit a forehand winner on return of serve. On the second, Bopanna put a running forehand long.

Bopanna said knowing that he could mix it up with the best of all players has boosted his confidence.

"I am really happy with the way I played. I believe in myself more now," he said.

Bopanna would be trying to qualify to the Wimbledon championships next week.

Sure, he would be hoping for a re-match with the Swiss maestro on the famous lawns.

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