Fit-Federer ready for another title shot

Federer has won 12 Grand Slam titles, two short of Pete Sampras8217; all-time record, and figured in the last 10 finals 8212; winning eight. But he goes into the season8217;s first major without a competitive match in two months because of a stomach virus.

He was fast to quash any suggestion that the bug upset his preparations as much as his stomach. 8220;Physically I8217;m fine now, no more issues. I would consider myself 100 percent.8221;

Women8217;s champion Serena Williams will be first match on center court.

And two former women8217;s champions who weren8217;t in Melbourne last year when Serena Williams made her remarkable run to her eighth Grand Slam title are also in action on the opening day. No. 1 Justine Henin was dealing with a marriage breakup and skipped the last event, and Lindsay Davenport was pregnant with her first child and on a break from the tour.

Both come to Melbourne in sparkling form. Henin won the French and US Opens and the season-ending championship, then added the Sydney International title on Friday to enter the season8217;s first major on a 28-match winning streak. Her only loss in six months was against Marion Bartoli in the Wimbledon semi-finals.

No. 2-ranked Rafael Nadal is against Viktor Troicki of Serbia in the night match on center court.