A choir provided the prelude introductory theme as Roger Federer walked on court in his return to tournament tennis today. Then the World No. 1 issued a familiar hometown hymn in tuning up his long-time friend and former doubles partner, Olivier Rochus, 6-3, 6-4, in the opening round of the Davidoff Swiss Indoors Basel.
Three-time defending champion Federer posted his 16th consecutive win in his hometown event and said he was satisfied with his performance. Federer pounded down 12 aces, did not face a break point and won 32 of 35 points played on his first serve in his first match since he led Switzerland to a Davis Cup victory over host Italy in September. Federer took a six-week sabbatical from tennis, skipping the ATP Tour's Asian swing to spend time with his twin daughters, Charlene Riva and Myla Rose.
"I haven't played in Switzerland in a year and it's really so great," said Federer, who received three mini gold trophies from tournament officials signifying his success in sweeping the 2006, 2007 and 2008 Basel titles. "I played pretty well today and I'm happy with how it went."
In an effort to earn more match play before next week's BNP Paris Masters in Paris and the ATP World Tour Finals at London's 02 Arena starting on November 22nd, Federer will play doubles with his friend Marco Chiudinelli.
A former junior semifinalist at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, Rochus partnered Federer to win the Wimbledon junior doubles title. The pair remain good friends today.
"He's a good friend and a good guy," Federer said of Rochus. "When we were juniors he beat me all the time and then I grew and got a bigger serve and I started to win. He's a very good player; he plays quite cute tennis. I always look forward to playing him."
Rochus, who was runner-up to Marcos Baghdatis in Stockholm last month, may elevate the "cute" quotient, but could not make any real impressions in Federer's service games as the 15-time Grand Slam champion made two service breaks stand up to seal the victory in 66 minutes.
"I felt so good out there," said Federer, who is now 7-0 lifetime against Rochus, who once dominated their junior rivalry. "This was my longest break, longer than at the end of a season. But I really needed it."
Next up for Federer is a round of 16 meeting with Italy's Andreas Seppi, who defeated Swiss wild card Stephane Bohli, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5. Federer, who will carry a 56-8 record on the season in that match, has not surrendered a set in five meetings with Seppi.
Two Americans in the main draw face challenging first-round matches. James Blake, whose rank has dropped to No. 41, will face 31st-ranked Frenchman Jeremy Chardy for the first time as Blake tries to build up his ranking for a seeded spot at the 2010 Australian Open. Big-serving American John Isner takes on third-seeded Fernando Gonzalez in the first round in their first head-to-head encounter.
