NEW YORK – Long-time pal Roger Federer was among the US Open tennis stars who voiced support on Saturday for golf superstar Tiger Woods as he battled nearby to defend his US PGA playoff crown.

Woods has been embroiled in a sex scandal for the past nine months that led to his divorce last Monday from wife Elin Nordegren after admitting affairs with multiple mistresses, a saga that wrecked his image and hurt his golf game.

"He has had a tough situation the last few months but I'm sure he's going to get back," Federer said. "I don't think he's getting upset by opponents' play and stuff. I think it's more about his own game or the course."

Playing in suburban New York at The Barclays, Woods fired a one-over par 72 on Saturday to stand on three-under 210 after 54 holes, putting him in danger of not advancing to the second playoff event.

Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion with two US Open titles, is among those cheering on Woods in his bid to win for the first time since the scandal erupted and on his redemption quest.

"The guy is a great player," she said. "Everyone wants to be like him. Everyone in America loves golf and they want to hit as hard as he does and play the mental game he does.

"Maybe he has had some trying times, but he is a champion. I don't know how he is doing this week but hopefully well. What he does on the course is fantastic and I think we all deserve to have some privacy in our lives."

Defending US Open champion Kim Clijsters is not even a Woods fan, supporting South African rival golfer Ernie Els, but she still expects to see Woods back on form as the world's top golfer.

"Tiger Woods is still capable of bringing the best golf out there, but obviously with his personal situation it's something that has an impact," said Clijsters.

"Without a doubt I think he will be back soon and will be playing his best level again."

Another tennis star who expects Woods to restore the greatness to his game is Andy Roddick, the US ninth seed who won his only Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2003.

"He will do it. He's too good not to," Roddick said. "He's probably the best talent that ever played golf. He even admitted that he has made his own bed. He's dealing with he fallout of it.

"It's not easy to have to address it every day and to go through it. It's just going to take some time before golf can probably become the first thing he is thinking about again on a daily basis.

"People who say he is never going to win again, I don't agree with that at all. Not even a little bit."