Players Under the Microscope / Editor / 03 April 2007 /

Roger Federer has spoken of his pride after being named Sportsman of the Year at the Laureus World Sports Awards for the third time.

The 25-year-old enjoyed an incredible 2006, winning Wimbledon, plus the US and Australian Opens, and finished runner-up to Rafael Nadal at the French Open.

He has continued in the same fashion this year, and secured his third Australian Open title in Melbourne en route to winning 41 straight matches - a run only ended by Argentine Guillermo Canas in the second round of the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells.

The Swiss ace was a hot favourite to win the award this year having been honoured twice in the past and was delighted to have secured a hat-track of titles.

"It is a great honour for me to receive this award for the third straight year," he said. "I'm very proud so thanks very much and I hope to see you next year."

Federer will now look to end his French Open jinx and finally win the one Grand Slam event that has eluded him so far. He looked to be well on his way in his first Roland Garros final in eight attempts last year when he breezed through the first set against Rafael Nadal 6-1, only to be stunned by the young Spaniard's recovery to lose in four sets.

Undoubtedly, Federer will be prominent in the outright winner market for the French Open, which gets underway on May 27, although the 20-year-old Spaniard may well be the favourite as he looks to make it a hat-trick of titles in what will be only his third outing in Paris.

Punters are sure to keep an eye on developments as the clay court season unfolds but faith in the world number one's ability may have wavered following back-to-back defeats at the hands of Canas, in Indian Wells and Miami. In the '2007 Specials - Federer Grand Slam' market, 'Yes' is available at 4.6 while 'No' is a strong 1.27 favourite.

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