Australian Open 2012 live stream

Roger Federer had a poor year in 2011. The former world number one slipped to third in the ATP Tour rankings and failed to win a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2002. He did, however, extend his record of reaching the quarter finals in a major tournament to 30 and he finished the season by winning the ATP Tour Finals in London.

That victory had the Swiss proclaiming that he wants to recapture his world number one ranking and there are many who believe that 2012 will represent a comeback for Federer. He is 4/1 at Betfred to kick start his season by winning the Australian Open and if he can claim the title in Melbourne then there is no reason why he can't once again become the best player in the world.

Unfortunately, it looks unlikely that Federer will be able to triumph in Australia. He began 2012 with losses to both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the Mumbadala World Championships and was then forced to withdraw from the ATP Doha with a back injury. The 30-year-old claims to be 100% heading to Melbourne but it is hard not to believe that the years are finally catching up with arguably the greatest tennis player of all time.

Federer has a tough draw in the 2012 Australian Open and must pass both Mardy Fish and Juan Martin Del Potro if he is to reach the semi finals of the season's first Grand Slam. It is 2/5 at Sky Bet that he negotiates both of those tricky obstacles but this could be the first year since 2003 when the Swiss stumbles before the semis in Melbourne. Both Fish and Del Potro have huge serves and powerful forehands, which make returning difficult. Federer floundered against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at Wimbledon last year and the Frenchman has a very similar style to the American and Argentine. One of those two, who are 14/1 and 3/1 respectively to reach the last four, could end the Swiss's tournament and that could easily signal the beginning of the end of Federer's illustrious career.