Federer Makes Welcome Return, Beats Melzer

Roger Federer made a welcome return to the highest level of professional tennis on Monday night at the Australian Open, in his first tour-level match since 8 July 2016.

Federer, who had been sidelined due to a knee injury, opened his campaign over former junior rival and fellow 35-year-old Jurgen Melzer 7-5, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 in two hours and five minutes.

“I thought my serve was on and off in the beginning, which surprised me a little bit, because in practise it’s been going pretty well,” said Federer. “I was feeling nervous once the match actually started. I was actually fine all day, warming up, in the warm-up five minutes with Jurgen. I felt fine. Then I hit four frames in a row. It was like, ‘Whew, it’s not as easy as I thought it was going to be.

“I’m happy I was made to work today. Actually at the end I’m quite happy how I ended, which is most important… It was great to be out there. I really enjoyed myself, even though it wasn’t so simple.”

He goes on to face World No. 200 Noah Rubin, appearing in his third Grand Slam championship, who edged past fellow American Bjorn Fratangelo 6-7(4), 7-5, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 in three hours and eight minutes.

Four-time former champion Federer recovered from a 2-4 deficit in the first set and, at one stage, won 13 points in a row. Qualifier Melzer won five games in a row from a 1-3 deficit in the second set, but No. 17 seed Federer was in total control the remainder of the pair’s fifth meeting. The Swiss star hit 46 winners, including 19 aces.

It is Federer’s first appearance outside the Top 10 in the Emirates ATP Rankings at Melbourne Park since 2002 when he ranked No. 12 and his No. 17 seeding is his lowest at a Grand Slam championship since coming in unseeded at 2001 Roland Garros. Pete Sampras was the No. 17 seed when he won his final event, the 2002 US Open.