Dubai Duty Free Championships: Opose the favourite and get on the Fed Express

World number one is too short at 10/11 to triumph in Dubai this week, but Federer is worth a look at 3/1

After claiming his 5th Australian Open title just one month ago, many tennis pundits and experts are expecting another stellar year from Novak Djokovic.

As he enters just his third tournament of the season in Dubai this week, there are still some doubts surrounding the Serb however.

His victory in Australia was far from convincing, with uncertainties over his form and health dominating the headlines over the two weeks.

It is unclear as to whether Djokovic has fully recovered from the serious flu he has been suffering from in the last month, and this creates more question marks over his odds-on tournament status.

Dubai is notoriously one of the quicker courts on the ATP world tour, and this type of surface hasn’t proved kind to Novak over the last few seasons.

Disappointing recent defeats in Cincinatti, Shanghai and the US Open, cemented the fact that the world best player is far more at home on a slower hard court such as the one in Australia.

This year’s field is extremely strong also, with Thomas Berdych, Andy Murray and Roger Federer all headlining the event.

Djokovic will likely face Berdych in the semi-finals and this will prove no cakewalk. Despite struggling in the match up over his career, Berdych has looked a different player this year under the guidance of Dani Vallverdu.

He will fancy his chances of upsetting the Serb on the quick Dubai surface.

If Novak is to make the final he will almost certainly play Murray or Federer along the way. Murray, like Berdych has struggled against Djokovic in recent times, yet he too looks rejuvenated this season, and can draw confidence from the straight sets victory he achieved over Novak in Dubai three years ago.

It’s Federer who looks the most likely to slay the favourite however, and it is why he should be backed to win the tournament at 3/1.

After suffering an early defeat in Australia the Swiss star has had plenty of time to practice ahead of the event, and will be extra motivated to defend his Dubai title.

He has enjoyed winning head to head records over both Murray and Djokovic in the last year, and simply loves the quick surface on offer this week.

He beat the world number one in a three set thriller here twelve months ago, and a repeat if they both make the final looks to be a stellar bet.

3/1 – Roger Federer to win the Dubai Duty Free Championships