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| For the first time since 2003, Federer enters a season where he's not expected to dominate on hardcourts and grass. It's an entirely new position for the 13-time Grand Slam winner, being the older player at age 27 who is expected to gradually fall behind the younger set of Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic. Some think he already has. | But that thought is premature, or at least for this tournament. Federer just won a record fifth US Open title in a row on similar hardcourts to those featured at the Australian Open and is a three-time champion in Melbourne. Certainly, 2008 didn't live up to his own impossibly high standards, but he did reach the final four of all four majors, and only his nemesis Nadal was able to equal him in that department. |
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| On paper, this might appear to be a waltz for Federer, but it's not, as Seppi cracked the top 30 last year and showed a lot of ability, as he's quick and able off the ground. | The 24-year-old Italian reached the semifinals of Hamburg where he fell to the Swiss on clay, and two weeks ago, lost to him again in Doha, but there were moments in the match where he stayed on top of rallies. Federer just won the Kooyong exhibition in ethereal form. |
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| Federer still has the most feared serve of the Big Four, can still club opponents off the court with his fiery forehand, can still confuse his foes by mixing up his backhand and close out points at the net. | Seppi is a fleet-footed grinder with bit of flair from the backcourt who can has a dozen or so different spin speeds in his pocket. |
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| Federer is on a bit of a mission to prove that he can still be dominant, so expect him to come out firing against Seppi and pull him around the court with a series of deft blows. | The problem for Seppi when confronting Federer's wizardry is that he has to play outside of himself to make an impression, and he doesn't turn points quickly enough in his favor. Instead of being able to set up a long rally where he can grind an opponent down, he'll be forced to go at Federer immediately off the ground and runs the risk of blowing up his own foundation. |
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| Federer has won all three of their contests and never dropped a set, but their first meeting at 2007 Monte Carlo went to two tiebreakers. | |
