Stuttgart Cup: 'It's like a new start', says Roger Federer

Roger Federer reacts after his win over Mischa Zverev yesterday. Pic/AFP

Roger Federer was made to battle after a losing first set as the Swiss star made his long-awaited return to tennis yesterday with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 defeat of Mischa Zverev at the Stuttgart Cup. The World No. 2 shook off the rust against his German opponent after a poor start, breaking twice in the second and third sets to earn victory in 93 minutes. The 20-time Grand Slam winner, who exited in his opening match at the grass court season curtain-raiser a year ago to friend Tommy Haas, can displace Rafael Nadal from the world's top ranking spot if he reaches Sunday's final.

Federer, 36, finished to the cheers of a sold-out centre court on a chilly day. "I'm happy to have won a match after losing my last two (Indian Wells, Miami in March)," Federer said. "This is a new start. I'm glad to have been able to win again, overcoming some difficult moments after being a set down. Mischa's level dropped in the last two sets and that gave me a chance to win." Federer lost the first set to Zverev but quickly recovered to post his sixth win in as many meetings in the series.

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