Montreal officials are said to be willing to give Federer a late start date Wednesday, Aug 12 should he request it.

Perfect symmetry would indicate that the babe be born Aug 8, his own 28th birthday. Canadian media have quoted the Montreal tournament boss as saying he is not actually expecting Federer to front up.

Even in the potential absence of Federer, Montreal will not be lacking in buzz, with Rafael Nadal due to return to the courts more than two months off the ATP resting tendinitis in his knees which kept him from Wimbledon.