HOUSTON, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- World No. 1 Swiss Roger Federer beat French Open champion Gaston Gaudio of Argentia in Monday's round-robin play at the $3.65 million Tennis Masters Cup.
Playing his first tennis since suffering a left thigh injury in his native Basel just three weeks ago, the reigning Masters Cup champ Federer beat Argentine Gaudio 6-1, 7-6, (7-4).
Federer and Gaudio are part of this week's "Red Group," which also includes Lleyton Hewitt and Carlos Moya, who met later Monday night.
The 23-year-old Federer, who has already locked up the year-end No. 1 ranking and the top spot in the ATP Champions Race, is 70-6 this season, including a tour-best 10 titles.
He is the reigning U.S. Open, Wimbledon and Australian Open champion.
Round-robin action will be staged here through Friday, with the top two players from each four-player group advancing to the semifinals.
