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Federer questions Murray chances
World number two Roger Federer says he is "surprised" Andy Murray has been installed as joint favourite for the Australian Open by some bookmakers.
Murray has had a superb start to the year, retaining his Qatar Open title a week after beating world number one Rafael Nadal and Federer in Abu Dhabi.
"He's playing well, finished strongly last year, but I'm surprised that the bookies say that," said Federer.
"He's never won a slam. Winning a slam is a different animal."
Federer will be attempting to win a record-equaling 14th grand slam title when the Australian Open starts next week in Melbourne.
And the Swiss star warned that Murray, who lost to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in round one of last year's Australian Open, would not find it easy to add a first Grand Slam title to his list of successes.
"Andy's shown for a year that he's knocking on the door. He's a good all-round player, has good tactics and he's full of confidence," said Federer.
"But not many guys have been able to win Grand Slams over the last few years. Rafa [Nadal] and I have taken a lot of them. It doesn't happen that easily, but he has a chance like many other players."
Federer, who lost his status as the world's top player towards the end of last year despite winning the US Open, said he was feeling fit and refreshed heading into the year's first Grand Slam.
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