Roger Federer marked a successful return back to the Dubai Open with a straight sets 6-1, 6-3 win over Benoit Paire in the first round on Monday evening.
The Swiss maestro, a seven-time former champion, cruised for most parts of the 54-minute encounter that saw him break the Frenchman’s serve four times. The third seed also saved all three break points on his serve, which came in the fifth game of the first set, to offset any comeback attempt from Paire.
Paire also seemed to be hampered with an injury to his right leg and during the changeover before the sixth game in the opening set, called for the trainer to have his leg treated. He also never regained his momentum in the match and a fourth break of serve in the ninth game of the second set handed Federer a place in the second round.
Federer had six aces and no double faults, while Paire finished off with two aces and a double fault. A meagre percentage of points won off his second serve (29%) also compounded Paire’s woes in the course of the match.
In the round of 16, Federer now awaits the winner between Mikhail Youzhny and Evgeny Donskoy.
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