Federer ready for some more hard labour

While his rivals wilt under the strain of trying to match him, Roger Federer [Images] appears ominously fresh before the first Grand Slam of the season.

The Swiss world number one starts his bid for a second Australian Open title in his familiar role as outstanding favourite and showing little sign of last year's foot and ankle injuries.

The latter played a part in his painful end to an otherwise outstanding 2005 when David Nalbandian beat him in five sets in November to win the Masters Cup in Shanghai.

Federer resumed normal service with victory in his first tournament of 2006, the Qatar Open, without the loss of the set and more importantly, without any sign of his injuries.

"A beautiful start" was the verdict of the 24-year-old. "It really showed I am over it, I really think that."

In contrast, Spaniard Rafael Nadal [Images], the only player who came close to matching Federer's success last season, is struggling with a foot injury. Defending Australian Open champion Marat Safin [Images], the Russian who beat Federer in last year's semi-finals, has not played since August due to a knee problem.

Andre Agassi [Images], who took a set off Federer in the U.S. Open final, has already withdrawn injured and home hope Lleyton Hewitt [Images], who together with Nalbandian could be Federer's strongest challenger, has lost his last nine matches against the Swiss.

For those who do make it to Melbourne, it promises to be hard labour all the way on a surface Federer loves.

The Swiss only suffered four defeats in 85 matches last season and can argue that injury played a part in two of them.

The Swiss was hampered by sore feet when he lost his five-set classic against Safin in the Melbourne semi-finals last year.

Ten months later an ankle injury meant his lack of match fitness came to bear in November's five-set loss to Nalbandian in the Masters Cup final in Shanghai.

Federer's two other defeats of 2005 were on clay and on a hardcourt -- the surface that will be used in Melbourne -- he has won 45 consecutive matches, 11 more than the previous record.

If the early season signs are anything to go by, that remarkable unbeaten run will still be in tact come the end of the Melbourne fortnight.

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