Ten-time Halle champion Roger Federer made a winning start to his grass campaign with a 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 win over Ilya Ivashka after 1 hour and 35 minutes in the first round of the Noventi Open in Halle.
The 39-year-old Swiss player is playing his fourth tournament this year after reaching the quarter final in Doha, a second-round defeat in Geneva and the fourth round at Roland Garros. Federer was solid on serve for most of the match and did not face a break point until his 11th service game.
Ivashka held at love in the first and third games. Federer made a forehand error in the fourth game to face two break points, but he saved them to hold his service game after two deuces to draw level to 2-2. Both players held on their next service games en route to the tie-break.
Federer started the tie-break with an early mini-break to take a 2-1 lead. Ivashka netted a backhand and trailed 1-4 after a forehand mistake. Federer earned five set points with a volley winner and closed out the set with a volley at the net.
Federer hit a service winner to win the opening game of the seocnd set. Ivashka held serve at deuce in the second game. Federer held serve in the ninth game with a forehand winner. Ivashka faced a match point in the 10th game and saved it with a backhand volley winner. Ivashka forced a backhand error from Federer to hold serve at deuce for 5-5.
Federer claimed the only break in the 12th game to secure his spot in the second round, after Ivashka missed a low forehand shot into the net.
The Swiss 20-time Grand Slam champion won 77% of his first-serve points and saved two break points he faced.
Federer has now won 10 of his past 11 matches at the ATP 500 tournament in Halle. He set up a second round match against either Felix Auger Aliassime or 2021 Miami Open champion Hubert Hurkacz.
“I had a tough moment early on in the first set when he had break points, so that was crucial to get out of those. Then I played a really good tie-break, which I was happy about. I think as the match wore on I started to create more opportunities and started to calm my nerves a bit. Overall I I think I served very well. Clearly, I can always be a little bit better, but I am very happy and excited that I was able to get through the first one”, said Federer.