Roger Federer plays Russia's Alex Kudryavtsev in the opening round of the 2012 Australian Open.
Four-time champion Federer begins his quest for a record 17th Grand Slam title on Monday evening. Federer is the most decorated player in Australian Open history having won an unbelievable 59 matches at the tournament. However the third seed's preparations haven't been the best this year with a back injury forcing him to pull out of the Qatar Open semi-finals.
“Today was my first practice where I could play again at a hundred per cent. Yesterday I felt good, too. No pain. But at least, you know, I was out there playing full on, but still just a little worried or scared, let's put it that way,” Federer said on Saturday.
“I still feel like the top four guys are going to play well again. The question is just whom. I feel good about my own chances. But then again, that doesn't mean much because the others are really playing well at the moment.”
Kudryavtsev is likely to be a little overawed as this will be comfortably the biggest stage of his career. He's ranked 172 in the world but enjoyed a fantastic run through qualifying, defeating former finalist Rainer Schuettler 7-6(4), 0-6, 8-6.
However this will be his first ever Grand Slam match and Federer should be able to work his way comfortably into the tournament in straight sets.
