Fabio Fognini could make Federer pull out the stops

WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai
BT Sport 1, from 6am Thursday
ATP Paris Masters
Sky Sports Arena, 10am Thursday

Roger Federer was chuffed to have sealed a ninth Basel title in the Swiss Indoors last Sunday, but the legendary veteran was far from at his peak on the way to taking the crown in his homeland.

Traditionally Federer was always at his best playing indoors and the Swiss 37-year-old deliberated long and hard about whether or not to compete in the Paris Masters with his place in the ATP Finals in London later this month already guaranteed.

The great man has decided to play in Paris-Bercy and Federer will have been boosted by the fact that Milos Raonic pulled out of a scheduled second-round clash with the third seed.

Federer will open instead against Fabio Fognini, who also had a second-round bye. But with the favourite possibly not at his brilliant best after a long campaign this represents an opportunity for the Italian to give his opponent a decent workout.

Fognini is a better player outdoors and that in itself should see outsider backers keeping stakes sensible, but with a start of 4.5 games a chance can be taken on the 13th seed keeping it close.

Recommendation
F Fognini +4.5 games
1pt 10-11 Betfred

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