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Aussie
Rules
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Federer Favourite
******MEDIA RELEASE******MEDIA RELEASE****** FEDERER FAVOURITE - HEWITT FIRMS Although Switzerland’s Roger Federer is currently favourite with TABSportsbet at $4.00 it is Australia’s former number one, Lleyton Hewitt, that punters are warming to in the betting on the 2004 Men’s Australian Open Championship. Hewitt, the 2001 U S Open and 2002 Wimbledon Champion, has never got past the last 16 at his national title, but after opening at $7.00 persistent backing for him has seen his quote shorten to $6.25. Federer, who won 7 times in 2003 including the Wimbledon crown, just shades American, Andy Roddick, a clear second pick in the betting at $4.50. Roddick was not far behind Federer last year in winning 6 tour events including his most prized, the U S Open title. The fourth line of betting sees one of the all-time greats of tennis and four time Australian Open champion, Andre Agassi, who is quoted at $7.00 to make it four Opens in the last five years. Juan Carlos Ferrero, who has been in three Grand Slam finals for a win at Roland Garros last year and runner-up cheques at the French in 2002 and the U S in 2003, is next in the market at $11.00. The second of Australia’s two-pronged attack at Melbourne Park this year is current world number 9, Mark Philippoussis. The Scud has had two cracks at a Grand Slam title, losing to Pat Rafter at Flushing Meadows in 1998 and of course to Federer at Wimbledon last year. Due to the injury doubts on a number of the top women players the market for the Women’s Championship will not be available until much closer to the event. Current betting as at 2pm Friday 9th January for the Men’s Championship R. FEDERER $4.00 A. RODDICK $4.50 L. HEWITT $6.25 A. AGASSI $7.00 J. C. FERRERO $11.00 M. PHILIPPOUSSIS $14.00 G. CORIA $16.00 D. NALBANDIAN $17.00 R. SCHUETTLER $21.00 C. MOYA $26.00 P. SRICHAPAN $26.00
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