Experimental Federer happy with form before Open

MELBOURNE, Jan 13 (Reuters) Win or lose, Roger Federer accomplished his mission at the invitational Kooyong Classic.

The Swiss suffered a rare defeat today, beaten 6-2 3-6 6-3 in the final by Andy Roddick, but the event served as a training ground for Federer to experiment with his vast collection of shots in the run up to next week's Australian Open.

The world number one treated the fans to a glimpse of the now dying tradition of serve-and-volley tennis as he tried to counter Roddick's fearsome deliveries and a swirling wind.

''I haven't done it in years, it's just good to know that I can do it, and I thought it was not bad today,'' the Australian Open champion told reporters.

''It was hard conditions, and against Andy I knew that if the wind was going to be blowing, that it's going to be really hard from the baseline.

''So I decided, instead of breaking my rhythm, I would rather come to the net and try something else and try to play a little bit this way.

''It worked pretty well, gave me the idea that I have that option as well.'' FIVE DEFEATS For any of his rivals who might be thinking that Federer is about to encounter sleepless nights because of his defeat, they need only look back at his 2006 record.

He lost at Kooyong but went on to win in Melbourne Park.

He lost in the second round of the Cincinnati Masters but triumphed in Flushing Meadows.

That loss to Briton Andy Murray in Cincinnati remains as Federer's last official defeat, one of only five in 2006, since Kooyong is an exhibition tournament.

With Federer chasing grand slam title number 10 over the next fortnight, he admitted he will be adopting a different approach when he walks out on the Rod Laver Arena.

''I doubt that you'll see me play like today over there (in Melbourne Park) I'll definitely be able to raise my game when I have to,'' said Federer, who begins his title defence against German Bjorn Phau.

''I have good players in my sections. (Mikhail) Youzhny is an excellent player, (Novak) Djokovic is an excellent player, and the guy I play first round, I lost to him in '99, I've never beaten him.

''I feel good about my chances.'' Roddick concurred: ''He plays offence and defence equally well, his completeness is what makes him the champion that he is.'' REUTERS AY BST1436