MELBOURNE (AFP) – Roger Federer received a timely confidence boost ahead of the Australian Open after lifting his second warm-up title in five years at the Kooyong Classic.

The world number 2 will start his bid Monday for a fourth title at Melbourne Park, bolstered by a near-perfect tune-up this week at suburban Kooyong which ended in a 6-1, 6-3 win over Swiss compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka in the final Saturday.
After laboring a year ago with the effects of a glandular fever which colored the first half of his season, Federer's health is not currently an issue.
“I'm always confident entering any grand slam because of all the success I've had the last six years,” the 13-time grand slam champion said after his 57-minute match against 16th-ranked Wawrinka, with whom he lifted the Beijing doubles gold medal last August.
“I always feel at the end of the day I'm going to play well at the slams and it will take an incredible performance from someone else to beat me.”
Federer improved his record against his Davis Cup teammate to 3-0.
The only good luck for the 23-year-old Wawrinka came at the net before the start when the flip of a Swiss franc coin went in his favor.
From then on, Federer took control in an opening set which lasted less than half an hour.
His warm-up week completed, Federer's next objective is first-round opponent Andreas Seppi of Italy.
“Expectations are high from my side to do well. I'm always eager to do well early in the season to build some momentum for the rest of the year.
“My draw is tough but possible. I go round by round. Seppi is difficult, but I beat him in Doha recently. Hopefully I'll get through that one and we'll see what happens.”
Federer believes that himself, top seed Rafael Nadal and current title-holder Novak Djokovic are the leading title contenders.
“Novak is defending champion, Rafa had an incredible year and I've won this event plenty (three) times. I guess the road to the trophy goes through us a bit.
“We are the ones to beat. Of course we have to put Andy (Murray) in there as favorite as well. He played well the last few months. But it will take a heck of a performance from one of the players to win this tournament,” he said.
“My serve is working well and things are falling into place nicely. I hope it's all gonna pay off next week.”