The Men’s Quarter Final Stage of the Australian Open Finishes next weekend and online tennis betting almost took a shocking third-round turn when defending champion, Roger Federer nearly lost it to Janko Tipsarevik in a nail-biting 5 setter in Melbourne on Friday. Federer showed his mettle and pulled himself back to win in straight sets in his fourth round encounter with 13th seed, Thomas Berdych but still had to fight to save two set points in the second set.

He faces James Blake in the quarters and the American is gung ho to give Federer a run for his money. Australian Open tennis betting fans will be wondering if Federer is revealing an off-form patch in his playing and, if he gets to the semis, a looming battle with the increasingly impressive Novak Djokovic may test him to breaking point. This will be the match of the tournament without any doubt.

Federer has not had to deal with a five setter this early in a major since 2002. He claims to welcome the experience however, saying “Just being there in a five-setter is good for me because I’m hardly ever there. It gives me a lot of information, how I’m feeling, and what I still have to work on.”

Djokovic, who has signed up Pete Sampras for coaching, has yet to drop a set in this tournament and will capitalise on any weakness he finds in Federer. The Serb has an abundance of all-court talent and has been breathing down Federer’s neck for some time. Online betting enthusiasts would do well to follow this match with a view to a live bet as the match progresses. Spread betting may also come into play for the braver of the gamblers among us.