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New Challenge For Federer In Melbourne

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By JOHN PYE, The Associated Press

Published: January 13, 2008

MELBOURNE, Australia - Without the glare of the cameras, or the roar of an appreciative crowd, Roger Federer shanked forehands and hit some backhands long inside Rod Laver Arena.

His girlfriend, Mirka Vavrinec, was with him at Melbourne Park's center court, wearing flip-flops in the intense heat and collecting wayward balls as Federer hit with Swiss Davis Cup captain Serevin Luethi.

That's as close as the 12-time Grand Slam champion got to a match situation before beginning his bid for a third consecutive Australian Open title. It's a radically different buildup to the tournament for Federer.

Unable to enter his regular tuneup, the Kooyong exhibition tournament, because of a stomach illness, Federer has been easing himself back into shape for his first competitive tennis in two months.

Federer isn't worried, saying he wouldn't have hung around Melbourne if he didn't believe he could win the Australian Open, which starts Monday.

"I definitely think it's going to turn for the good and I'll be 100 percent, really, before the tournament," Federer said.

Even so, while Federer was hitting at Melbourne Park, his competitors have been playing matches.

No. 2 Rafael Nadal, the only player to beat Federer at a Grand Slam tournament in the past two seasons, reached the final at Chennai, India, last week. No. 3 Novak Djokovic helped Serbia reach the Hopman Cup final in Perth.

No. 6 Andy Roddick, who beat Federer in the Kooyong final last year before losing a one-sided semi at the Australian Open, defeated Marat Safin in the second round of Kooyong on Thursday.

"I can safely say none of us here are worried about Roger's preparations for the Australian Open," said Roddick, jokingly speaking on behalf of the rest of men's bracket. "I think I'll sleep OK!"

Taking a more realistic tone, Roddick later said Federer would cope better than most in the same situation.

"If there's anybody who can take care of himself and play his way into form, it's Roger."

Serena Williams faced a worse predicament last year. Her loss in Hobart the week before was among her worst ever and she entered the Australian Open ranked No. 81 and unseeded.

Yet she beat six seeded players en route to the final, capping it with a lopsided win against top-seeded Maria Sharapova.

Williams' only warm-up this year was at the Hopman Cup, where she teamed with Tampa's Mardy Fish in the American victory against Serbia in the final.

"There's nothing better than a challenge, and I'm best when I am faced with one," she said. "I am definitely feeling fully prepared."

This year, she's got the full complement of stars to deal with. Sister Venus, who won Wimbledon last year, is back after skipping Melbourne last year because of a wrist problem. Justine Henin won the French and U.S. Opens in 2007 and has won 43 of her past 44 matches. Lindsay Davenport won in Auckland last week for her third title in four events since giving birth in June to her first child.

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