Reuters
Melbourne, Oct 3: US Open champion Roger Federer will again warm up for the Australian Open at the invitational Kooyong Classic, organisers said on Thursday.
Federer missed the tournament earlier this year with a virus and appeared lethargic at the Australian Open before losing to eventual champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the semi-finals.
"The (20)09 field is shaping up well, headed by an in-form Roger Federer," tournament director Colin Stubs said.
Federer won his fifth US Open crown by beating Briton Andy Murray last month.
Federer's Swiss compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka, who combined with the former world number one to win the men's doubles gold medal at the Beijing Olympics in August, has also been confirmed for the January 14-17 tournament.
Former world number one Marat Safin will also compete, along with 2006 Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus and James Blake of the US, who is playing at the courts in suburban Melbourne for the first time.
Chile's Fernando Gonzalez, who won the silver in the men's singles at Beijing, is also returning, while Latvia's Ernests Gulbis will make his debut at the event.
"The inclusion of Ernests Gulbis enables us to continue our philosophy of showcasing one of the ATP tour's 'rising stars'," Stubs added.