federer cruises through in basle

Roger Federer - back in business.

World number one Roger Federer eased through to the second round of the Davidoff Swiss Indoors in front of a partisan support in his home town of Basle.

The 28-year-old number one seed defeated Belgian qualifier Olivier Rochus 6-3 6-4 without offering an opportunity for a break of serve.

Federer was making his 10th appearance in the event, his first action since mid-September when Switzerland beat Italy in the Davis Cup.

His serve faltered on one occasion, with a single double fault in the opening set, but he fired 12 aces in the match to cruise to victory and set up a second-round clash with Andreas Seppi of Italy.

Seppi was a first-round victor over Swiss wildcard Stephane Bohli, winning 4-6 6-1 7-5.

Croatia's Ivo Karlovic made an early exit despite firing 28 aces against France's Florent Serra, who won 7-6 (7/5) 6-4.

There was just one break of serve in the contest as Serra overcame Karlovic to secure a second-round meeting with fifth seed Radek Stepanek.

Czech player Stepanek won his first-round tie with Germany's Rainer Schuettler 6-2 6-0.