Defending title-holder Roger Federer is through to the second round of the Swiss Indoors in Basel after an easy victory over Potito Starace of Italy on Monday.
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Federer, returning to competition after a six week break, won in two sets, although at one point in the first he had to save a break point at 5-all.
The score was 7-6 (7-3), 6-4. Starace is ranked 57th in the world.
Federer last played on September 18, as a member of Switzerland’s successful Davis Cup team against Australia.
He has won the Swiss Indoors four times, but this year is seeded only third, behind Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. Rafael Nadal, the world number two, is not playing.
Earlier this month Federer, who turned 30 in August, slipped to number four in the world rankings. He has not won a title since January.
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