Federer primed for Australian Open challenge

Roger Federer feels he has had the perfect preparation for his tilt for the title at Australian Open 2017.

The 35-year-old chose to ignite his season at the Hopman Cup, where he teamed up with fellow Swiss Belinda Bencic.

On Friday the 17-time Grand Slam champion sent down 11 aces in an impressive performance to defeat Richard Gasquet 6-1 6-4 within an hour, but it was the French team who progressed into Saturday’s final in Perth.

The former world No.1, returning after a six-month lay-off due to a knee injury, also beat Dan Evans earlier in the tournament, while losing to German young gun Alexander Zverev in three tight sets, and said he couldn’t be happier with how he feels.

“Three matches is great; four would be perfect,” Federer said. “Now the body has finally settled; I can play more freely with less thoughts behind it that you will hurt yourself again.

“It’s the third match into the year so I am starting to feel the ball better and better and I am just moving around the court better, so I am really pleased.

“Today (Friday) is the best I have felt since I arrived, so that’s super encouraging.”

Federer returned to the Hopman Cup this year for the first time since 2002: “I am happy I took the decision now,” added the Swiss maestro. “In hindsight, I think it is the best decision to come here and have a perfect preparation for the Australian Open.”

Federer couldn’t take Switzerland into the final. Kristina Mladenovic navigated past Belinda Bencic in three sets to force a doubles shootout for the chance to face the USA for the trophy.

Gasquet/Mladenovic won the deciding Fast4 mixed doubles match, dismissing Federer/Bencic 4-2, 4-2.

Mladenovic admits the French pair didn’t expect to make the final.

“We had a tough group and we’re not especially expecting to make the final,” Mladenovic said. “I am sad we beat Switzerland because I wanted to watch Roger tomorrow again.”