The former number one tennis player in the world, Roger Federer, is sinking like a lead balloon. First he fell to Rafael Nadal at the French Open and Wimbledon, then he was defeated at the Olympics by American star James Blake, and now he is going to lose to Nadal once again at the US Open. Using the most updated statistics on Nadal and Federer and creating conditions similar to those of Center Court at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, NY, Atari’s Smash Court Tennis 3 engine was able to predict that Nadal will triumph over Federer on the hard court just as he did on the grass.

Tennis fans around the world are holding their breaths anticipating a Nadal – Federer battle at the US Open’s men’s final on Sunday, September 7, 2008. One of the four “grand slam” tennis tournaments held throughout the year, the US Open begins on August 25th and is the next opportunity for Nadal and Federer to come racket to racket since Nadal stripped Federer of his status as number one in the world. After winning two grand slam titles at the French Open and Wimbledon this year, Nadal will be hitting his hardest to slice his Swiss competitor and pave the road to four consecutive grand slam titles.

While Federer will play his hardest to defeat his younger opponent and regain his title, according to the Smash Court Tennis 3 virtual match, he will not be able to overcome the Spaniard whose star is continuing to rise. According to the simulation Nadal will ace the match in 5 grueling sets, further sinking Federer’s chances of a comeback. A video of this exciting simulation match and screenshots of the two tennis pros battling it out on the hard court are now available. Smash Court Tennis 3 will be available tomorrow for the Xbox 360.

The first in the revered tennis simulation series for the new console generation, Smash Court Tennis 3 for Xbox 360 tests the player's skills against 16 of the world's finest international tennis players. From established stars such as world number one Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova, Rafael Nadal and Martina Hingis, to rising talents including Italy's Andreas Seppi and Nicole Vaidisova of the Czech Republic, each player has their own strengths and weaknesses which come into play on the game's painstakingly rendered courts.

Making the most of the power of Xbox 360, Smash Court Tennis 3 boasts enhanced graphics including improved player animations, realistic shadows, skin shaders and High Dynamic Range rendering which combine to deliver a greater level of realism and immersion for the player. A host of customizing options allows players to choose rackets, shoes, hairstyles, skin tone and clothing to create their own unique star of the courts. New gameplay includes a system, which lets all players, no matter what their skill level, benefit quickly from the powerful shots and finely honed skills of the star players.

Gameplay modes include Tutorial, Arcade, Pro-Tour, and Exhibition mode where up to four players can go head to head offline. The game also features an online mode allowing players to play online via Xbox Live online entertainment network. In addition to Xbox Live voice chat and rankings, players can take on opponents in online tournaments and in a range of different matches. Online doubles matches let players team up side by side for a long distance match against another pair, bringing the action and interaction alive like never before.

Featuring the biggest names in tennis including Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova, highly realistic visuals, a host of gameplay enhancements and online play via Xbox Live online game service, Smash Court Tennis 3 will be lobbing and smashing its way into North American retailers on Aug. 19, 2008.