Federer opens Shanghai campaign

Roger Federer made a welcome return to singles action as he defeated Andreas Seppi 6-4, 6-3 to open his Shanghai Rolex Masters campaign. The Swiss was playing his first singles match since a fourth-round exit to Tommy Robredo at the US Open and improved to a 36-12 match record on the season.

Seppi drew first blood in the pair’s 10th meeting as he looked to beat Federer for the first time. The Italian broke for a 3-2 lead, but Federer responded immediately to level the set and saved a break point in the seventh game before breaking Seppi to take the opener. An early break in the second set proved decisive as Federer prevailed in 74 minutes. He goes on to face Gael Monfils.

"Just a tough combination when I got broken," said Federer. "I was able to break back right away still with the used balls. Then with the ball change, I was in the match really.

"It was a big maybe shall I say 20 minutes going up a set and a break, really started to feel comfortable. Even though it remained tough, Seppi did a good job of hanging around. That's the kind of first round match you want in this particular situation I'm in right now."

"It's always very entertaining playing Gaël," Federer said. "I love the guy, the way he plays, how he entertains the crowd, shot selection, the way he executes as well.  It's unreal really."

Federer is looking for a big performance in Shanghai to help secure his place in the eight-man field at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. A six-time winner of the season finale, including twice when it was held in Shanghai in 2006-07, Federer is currently seventh in the Emirates ATP Race To London.

Date: 9th October 2013, Source: ATP