Roger Federer ends 2017 on a roll as Australian Open challengers fall by the wayside

ROGER Federer ended a memorable 2017 the way he started it with a singles win at the mixed teams Hopman Cup in Perth — but the news was not so good for some big name rivals.

Roger Federer of Switzerland acknowledges the spectators after defeating Yuichi Sugita of Japan during their men's singles match on day one of the Hopman Cup tennis tournament in Perth on December 30, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / TONY ASHBY / --IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE — STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE —

ROGER Federer ended a memorable 2017 the way he started it with a singles win at the mixed teams Hopman Cup in Perth.

His straight-sets victory over Japan’s Yuichi Sugita showed Federer was sharp for his upcoming Australian Open title defence, capping off an extraordinary year in which he claimed two Grand Slam titles and climbed back to number two in world rankings.

It also gave Switzerland the lead in their Group B tie against the Japanese, before Belinda Bencic sealed the tie for the Swiss with a straight-sets win over Naomi Osaka.

Federer started his 2017 campaign in Perth and given the success which followed, the 36-year-old was keen to replicate his preparation for Melbourne by returning to the Hopman Cup.

Speaking after his 6-4, 6-3 win over the 40th-ranked Sugita, the Swiss star said he was entering the new season more confident in his game than the last.

Roger Federer of Switzerland hits a return against Yuichi Sugita of Japan during their men's singles match on day one of the Hopman Cup.

“I feel much more in a rhythm,” he said.

“Last year, I was like I hope I’m going to be able to hit my first serves, and I hope it’s going to work out as much as it did in the practice.

“I think all those question marks aren’t really there this time around, which is a nice thing.

“I think it was a great start.” While a number of his main rivals, including Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Stan Wawrinka, Andy Murray and Milos Raonic, have battled fitness issues this year, Federer said his body was in perfect shape heading into 2018.

“I’m healthy and had a great off season,” the 19-time Grand Slam champion said. “The body’s great, it couldn’t be better, so I couldn’t be happier.” Despite his age, Federer added he felt like he was still as competitive as ever. “I feel like the game has evolved again and I’ve made some adjustments,” he said.

“I am trying to hit through the backhand more and have a bit more pop on the serve.”

FEDERER’S RIVALS BATTLING INJURY

So to sum up: Djokovic suddenly out again with elbow trouble, Murray perhaps in again after chronic hip trouble, Nadal/Wawrinka maybe still out with knee trouble. Federer, 36, sails on.

— Mike Dickson (@Mike_Dickson_DM) December 29, 2017

The Australian Open is shaping as a battle between the walking wounded, and that spells very good news for world No. 2 Roger Federer.

Rafael Nadal (knee), Andy Murray (hip), Novak Djokovic (elbow), Milos Raonic (wrist), Kei Nishikori (wrist), and Stan Wawrinka (knee) are all under injury clouds approaching the first major of the year.

It remains to be seen which of the injured stars will even make it to the Australian Open.

Federer has avoided the carnage so far, with the 36-year-old opening his Hopman Cup campaign with a 6-4 6-3 win over Japan’s Yuichi Sugita on Saturday night. Although rusty at times, Federer was happy with his first hit-out of the season, and said his body was feeling great.

With a host of his main rivals battling injuries, Federer’s chances of defending his Australian Open crown are increasing by the day.

However, Federer isn’t getting carried away just yet.

“Look, they pulled out (of warm-up tournaments) maybe because they’re not quite ready yet, or maybe because they need a couple more weeks,” Federer said. “We’ll only really know in a week or 10 days’ time who is really actually going to pull out. That’s when you can really talk about it.

“Because so far maybe it’s precautionary. Maybe it’s really that they’re not feeling well.

“I hope they all get back. But something tells me that two guys out of the five, six probably won’t make it. Because it seems too many guys are actually fighting something.”

Federer said even if a bunch of top contenders were forced to pull out, it would still be a difficult task to win the Australian Open.

“Maybe it’s going to open the door for me, and others too,” Federer said. “But that’s just all talk right now.

“At my age I’ve got to be really focused about my own game, my own body, my own problems that I will have.

“It’s still going to be seven matches over five sets. That’s not easy to do.

“Regardless of who’s going to be playing, and who is not, to win the Australian Open doesn’t come around easily.”