Australian Open 2015: Roger Federer vs Simon Bolelli match preview

A look ahead to the second round match in the men’s singles

Roger Federer (GETTY IMAGES)

Roger Federer, the four time champion, will be aiming to extend his unbeaten start to the year which saw him record his 1000 career victory when he won the Brisbane International trophy earlier this month.

Federer, who hit 57 winners in his first round demolition of Chinese Tapei’s Yen Hsun-Lu (6-4, 6-2, 7-5), goes into Wednesday’s game as the clear favourite.

The seventeen time grand slam winner, seeded 2 for Melbourne, faces an opponent who has failed to win a single set over the world number two in their previous three encounters.

Their most recent match came in last year’s Davis Cup, which proved a comprehensive victory for the Swiss star, who beat Bolelli 7-6, 6-4, 6-4.

The Italian, ranked 48 in the world, was made to work hard by Argentine veteran Juan Monaco, eventually coming through in four sets (6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1).

In the next round the winner of this match will face either French 29 seed Jeremey Chardy or Italy’s Andreas Seppi, with Federer avoiding any potential top four opponents until the semi-final stage.

START: Rod Laver Arena, not before 2pm (3am GMT), Wednesday.

PAST MEETINGS...

2014- Davis Cup (Clay) Federer won 7-6, 6-4, 6-4

2009- Davis Cup (Clay) Federer won 6-3, 6-4, 6-1

2008- Swiss Indoors Basel (Hard court) Federer won 6-2, 6-3

STATS...

2015 marks Roger Federer’s 17 year as a professional

Federer’s most recent second round exit at a grand slam came at 2013’s Wimbledon

Federer’s last Australian Open title came in 2010

Simeone Bolelli has never gone beyond the second round of the Australian Open when competing in the singles event

ODDS...

Federer 1/50

Bolelli 14/1

TV: British Eurosport