Federer Begins Swiss Indoors Basel Campaign With a Win
October 22, 2013 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Adam Wolfthal
Roger Federer opened his campaign for a sixth Swiss Indoors Basel title on Monday with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Adrian Mannarino. Federer improved to a 48-8 record overall at the event where he once served as a ballboy. Federer has two tournaments remaining with which to secure his place at the season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals and is currently eighth in the Emirates ATP Race to London.
"I think it was a pretty good performance for a first round," said Federer. "I had some good spells and some that were tougher. I fought through and stayed positive throughout. I kept playing aggressive, the way I would like to play for the week."
Alexandr Dolgopolov needed just 58 minutes to advance, defeating Kenny De Schepper 6-4, 6-4, and securing his his 24th win of the season, which includes a semifinal showing at the Winston-Salem Open. Qualifier Tobias Kamke defeated Victor Hanescu 6-4, 6-4 in 84 minutes, while world number 70 Lukasz Kubot defeated Daniel Gimeno-Traver 7-6(6), 6-2 in 88 minutes.
