Bodog Beat

Roger Federer barely stays alive in the Australian Open. (AP Images)

In one of the greatest tennis matches you could ever witness, Roger Federer survived what would have been a historic upset. The world's top-ranked tennis player was forced to a fifth set by unseeded 23-year-old Janko Tipsarevic in Melbourne Saturday. Taken to the limit in a match that lasted more than four hours, Federer finally pulled out a 6-7 (5), 7-6 (1), 5-7, 6-1, 10-8 victory in the third-round match at Rod Laver Arena.

Federer was a massive favorite on the moneyline at -5000 (meaning a winning tennis bet of $5,000 was required just to win $100). His Serb counterpart was at +1400, meaning his backers would have received $1,400 for every $100 they placed.

Tipsarevic recovered in the fifth set after suffering an ankle injury in the fourth. He needed his trainer to tape his joint before he was able to continue. His valiant effort finally ended when Federer came back from 40-0 down to win the 17th game of the set. He then served out the match, ending it after four hours, 27 minutes.

The raucous crowd gave both players a standing ovation.

Federer fired a career-high 39 aces. He converted only five of 21 break points, but the last one proved to be decisive as he was able to win it on his dominating serve.

The big upsets on the day came on the women's side of the draw, where No. 2 Svetlana Kuznetsova was upset by No. 29 Agnieszka Radwanska, 6-3, 6-4. Also, No. 6 Anna Chakvedatze fell to No. 27 Maria Kirilenko, 6-7 (6), 6-1, 6-2.

For Australian Open odds and match betting lines for the men's and women's draws, visit the Bodog Sportsbook throughout the tournament.