Federer, a two-time winner at the indoor hard court tournament, had taken a two-week break after the Australian Open.
Zemlja started strong, dropping only one point on his first two service games and forcing two break points on Federer's serve in the fourth game.
But Federer switched gears on the 64th-ranked Zemlja, saving both break points. He broke in the next game and again in the ninth to take the opening set.
The second set was brief, with Federer closing out the match in 58 minutes. Federer conceded it took a while to hit his stride at the indoor Ahoy arena.
"My start wasn't so well because it was warmer on the court compared the training sessions I had the previous day," Federer told reporters.
"It was also a bit difficult to see the ball in the beginning and while that might sound strange, there also is some pressure of playing a first round."
''Hall play is different. It's warmer, so the ball flies more and it takes a bit of getting used to,'' he said. ''The first ones are never easy. But I'm happy to be back and playing well.''
The Swiss will next face Dutch wild card Thiemo de Bakker in the second round.
Date: 13th February 2013, Source: AP
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