Defending champion Swiss Roger Federer is favourite at Australian Open

From Agassi to Safin: Federer favourite at Australian Open

"I have no secrets," Australian Open defending champion Roger Federer said smiling widely after defeating American Andre Agassi in a spectacular quarter-final, . "It's like roulette. I always pick the right numbers."

Having broken Agassi, the Swiss said when asked how he made it look so easy: "First of all, a good start always helps, especially against Andre. I really served well the whole match. He never broke me."

Federer next faces fourth-seeded Russian Marat Safin, who he beat in 2004 Australian Open final. But while Safin was exhausted then after playing six matches that took more than 18 hours, Roger Federer has been on the court only 10½ hours through five matches so far, including 90 minutes Tuesday to beat No.20 Dominik Hrbaty in three sets.

Marat Safin gained an advantage as the pair played the first match at the Australian Open under a closed roof at Rod Laver Arena.

Safin said he was glad not to be playing in the baking Australian summer's sun.

"It was a great match for me – I played the best tennis I could," Safin admitted.

Two men’s Australian Open quarterfinals were played under the roof, unlike women's meetings with now semifinalists Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams. "We were waiting and discussing it," Safin said. "I said they're going to close the roof. Actually, I saw that he really wanted to play with the heat. I think it's an advantage for him. Really honestly, I prefer to play against him indoors. It's much, much better."

"I think his game stepped up one or two levels when he found out that we play indoors," Safin's rival Hrbaty said. "He was serving much better. I think you can't serve like this if you play outdoors, just so solid and so hard. And also there is a heat factor which you can get a little tired. But he was playing too well anyway. I don't think I would have beaten him."

The other Australian Open semifinal matchup will be determined Wednesday when second-seed Andy Roddick faces No. 26 Nikolay Davydenko and No. 3 Lleyton Hewitt takes on No. 9 David Nalbandian.

Roger Federer is the clear favourite at the 2005 Australian Open, as Andy Roddick, Marat Safin and Lleyton Hewitt are distant second, third and fourth, respectively.

To Win Match  2005 Australian Open - MensRoger Federer vs Marat Safin Book Closes Jan 27-00:00  Roger Federer 1.16 Marat Safin 4.50

To Win Outright  2005 Australian Open - Mens Book Closes Jan 26-02:00   Win Only  Roger Federer 1.33 Andy Roddick 7.00 Marat Safin 8.00  Lleyton Hewitt 9.00  David Nalbandian 21.00  Nikolay Davydenko 67.00  These and other Australian Open semi-finals, win outright men's and women's betting at bet365.com.

See also:

Serena Williams, Sharapova, Australian Open favourites, to meet in semi-final