The world number one will be flying in straight from Geneva, where Switzerland faced Britain for a place in next year's Davis Cup World Group at the weekend.

But a chance to become a repeat champion at the Impact arena is only part of the puzzle the 24-year-old wants to solve starting Monday. The current dominator of the game is also under pressure from Spain's Rafael Nadal, his hot rival this season.

The teenager from Mallorca upped the stakes a week ago as he won his tenth title of the season to level alongside the Swiss.

With Nadal idle this week, it's the perfect opportunity for Federer to up the ante.

The world-beater is coming off his 23rd straight victory in a final with his four-set triumph over Andre Agassi in the US Open final a fortnight ago.

The six-time Grand Slam champion brings a 71-3 record to Bangkok, where he crushed Andy Roddick for the title a year ago.

This year's second seed is instead, Lleyton Hewitt. So far Federer has a huge psychological edge in their career stats, winning their last nine matches including an Open semifinal two weekends ago.

Federer begins mid-week in Bangkok against Brazilian Daniel Marcos, the world number 145. And there is just no mistaking the Federer confidence.

"I'm happy I have some records because it makes it more fun for me, not only to play against the other guys, sometimes to play against history occasionally," he said.

"I still cannot believe how well I've been playing over the last few years and that it just keeps on going. It's incredible."

Chasing Federer will be the over-riding task of Hewitt, fifth in the world, who entered on a wild card. The Australian will begin with unknown Czech Lukas Dlouhy, 87th in the standings.

American Robby Ginepri, the US Open semifinalist overlooked for a spot on the Davis Cup squad against Belgium, will take his hardcourt game to Asia for the first time, playing as third seed with a tough opening encounter against Thai Danai Udomchoke.

Fourth-seeded German Tommy Haas will fly in from the Davis Cup in Europe to start against Irakli Labadze of Georgia.

Swede Robin Soderling takes the fifth seeding while Finn Jarkko Nieminen, a US Open quarter-finalist is on sixth.

For the tenth time this season, Mark Philippoussis will be living on his reputation, with organisers awarding him a wild card entry to compensate for a 203 ranking.

Since reaching a semifinal on grass the week before Wimbledon, the 28-year-old Aussie has won just two matches out of six played.

SEEDS
Roger Federer (SUI x1)
Leyton Hewitt (AUS x2)
Robby Ginepri (USA x3)
Tommy Haas (GER x4)
Robin Sodering (SWE x5)
Jarkko Nieminen (FIN x6)
Paradorn Srichaphan (THA x7)
Luis Horna (PER x8)