Five reasons Roger Federer is a fine bet for the Australian Open

Available at a tempting 7/1 with Ladbrokes to win the Australian Open this January, the dust may have only just settled on the season just passed but here at Ladbrokes we are already looking at the runners and riders for the Melbourne event and Roger Federer is among our favourite picks.

The Swiss veteran has pretty much done – and won – it all in the men’s game and while the form of 5/4 favourite Novak Djokovic’s should provide some cause for alarm, write the man who’s enjoyed more comebacks than John Travolta off at your peril.

Here are five reasons we fancy the 33-year-old to roll back the years one more time.

The Davis Cup Success

Federer’s straight sets triumph over Richard Gasquet, which sealed Switzerland’s first-ever Davis Cup victory, must have felt akin to a boy completing the latest Panini sticker album, and the 33-year-old is likely to be on a high after claiming the only major title that had previously eluded him.

Been There, Done That

The player ranked as arguably the greatest in the game is always going to be in with a shout when it comes to the Majors and the fact that Federer has won the Australian Open no fewer than four times demonstrates he knows what it takes to win in Melbourne and should not be dismissed.

A World No.1 Dream

Federer came close to usurping Novak Djokovic as World no.1 towards the end of the season and it’s thought that the Swiss star’s desire to return to top spot in the world is a major driving force behind his continued involvement in the game. Winning in Australia would certainly help his cause.

Recent form Down Under

The 33-year-old may have just claimed a solitary Major title from his efforts over the previous four seasons, with that win coming at Wimbledon, but he remains a consistent force in Melbourne, having reached the semi-finals in each of the previous four years and could go one better in 2015.

Some Much Needed Rest

December and the Christmas break will offer a chance at some much-needed rest following a busy season which has seen the veteran reach the final of Wimbledon, and semi-finals in Australia and the US as well as the Davis Cup final. Expect him to come out all guns blazing next year.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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