Date:14/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/14/stories/2009011456982000.htm

Sport - Tennis

Federer surprised

MELBOURNE: World No. 2 Roger Federer reacted with surprise on Tuesday when asked what he thought about the bookmakers making British No. 1 Andy Murray a favourite for next week’s Australian Open.

“He’s the favourite?” Federer asked reporters at a media conference for the invitational Kooyong Classic on Tuesday. “Good for him. It won’t help him a whole lot,” the smiling Swiss added.

Murray, who lost the U.S. Open final to Federer last year, is the form player of the early season, having beaten Federer and World No. 1 Rafael Nadal, to install himself as one of the short-priced tips for Melbourne Park.