Roger Federer is ready, rested, healthy, and focused on the task ahead. At 34-years-old, Federer has defied all odds, including those of father time. Currently ranked third in the world, he is arguably playing at a better level than he was playing in his prime.

Federer Looking For Big Things in 2016

This is a special season for the Swiss-great, as he looks to conquer the one crown not currently on his resume: an Olympic Singles Gold Medal. Before he looks too far ahead, he is geared up and ready to go in Melbourne. Federer has added Ivan Ljubicic to his coaching team, who brings key experience, namely, his knowledge of the Novak Djokovic game. The Swiss Maestro begins this year's Australian Open as a favorite. He begins his campaign against 117th ranked Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia.

Who is Nikoloz Basilashvili?

Meet Federer's first round opponent, Nikoloz Basilashvili. The 23-year-old Georgian has been mainly competing on the ATP Challenger Tour for the most part of his young career. He now looks ready for the big stage down under as he enters this year's Australian Open main draw for the first time in his career. Last year, he made his biggest splash to date as he qualified for the final three Grand Slams of the season. That success allowed him to reach his career-high ranking of 86.

He made the main draw in Paris at the French Open. It was his first appearance in a Grand Slam main draw. He would lose in the first round to Thanasi Kokkinakis. At Wimbledon, he managed to reach the third-round, taking down Feliciano Lopez in the second round. Basilashvili qualified for the U.S. Open later in the year as well, but lost in the first round to Lopez. As 2016 begins, he will no doubt strive to continue to build on his success from the past year.

Federer's Start to the 2016 Season

Federer's 2015 was solid. He won six titles and reached two Grand Slam finals, but the Swiss number one has lofty goals as usual this season. As has become his custom in the past few years, Federer opened the season up at the Brisbane International. The top seed made the finals before losing to Milos Raonic in straight-sets. En route to the finals, Roger defeated Tobias Kamke, Grigor Dimitrov, and Dominic Thiem. Federer later admitted that he had been battling a bad cold throughout the tournament, but he is now recovered and ready to compete in Melbourne. 

Match Analysis

Roger Federer has not lost in the first round of a Grand Slam since 2004. Yes, you read that correctly. It has been 12 years since the Fed-Express has not advanced to the second round of a slam. Coming into the week healthy, he will be hard for anyone to beat, let alone a young qualifier. As many players point out about first round matches, it is important to simply get through them. They must adjust to the conditions and many times, players must figure out a new opponent. Federer is hungry and confident as always, but this season feels a bit different. Many are speculating as to how much the Swiss great has left in the tank. Then again, analysts have been wondering this for a long, long time, and Federer continues to defy all odds. 

Match Prediction

Simply put, it is a mismatch for anyone who faces Federer in the first round of a Grand Slam. Basilashvili will be no different. It will be important for him to play his game and see what dents, if any, he can make in the Federer game. But this is Roger Federer and he's unlikely to find many of those.

Prediction: Federer wins in three sets.