The top-ranked Federer paired with Swiss Davis Cup teammate Yves Allegro to defeat Johan Brunstrom of Sweden and Jean-Julien Rojer of the Netherlands Antilles 6-4, 7-6 (4).
Federer held serve throughout and showed effective volleying skills in his first match at the new 10,500-seat stadium at the Foro Italico.
The 16-time Grand Slam winner is playing his first tournament on clay since winning his only French Open title last year. It also marked Federer first doubles match this year.
He won the gold medal with Stanislas Wawrinka at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Federer and Allegro will face sixth-seeded Simon Aspelin of Sweden and Paul Hanley of Australia.
In singles, Federer will open against 40th-ranked Ernests Gulbis on Tuesday. Gulbis cruised past Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus 6-2, 6-2.
Date: 26.04.2010, Source: AP
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