Roger Federer wins easy opener in Rome

ROME, May 8 (UPI) -- World No. 1 Swiss Roger Federer was an easy opening-round winner Monday at the $2.375 million Internazionali d'Italia.

Federer, playing for the first time since losing to Rafael Nadal in the Monte-Carlo Masters final three weeks ago, defeated Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela 6-2, 6-1.

Federer, 24, is now 34-2 this year, with both losses coming at the hands of the Spanish clay-court wizard Nadal. The Swiss fired 29 winners at Chela, who lost in 1 hour, 7 minutes. He will face Italian Potito Starace in the second round.

There were two big upsets Monday as Slovakian Dominik Hrbaty defeated third-seeded Croat Ivan Ljubicic 5-7, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 and Frenchman Florent Serra beat seventh-seeded American James Blake 6-4, 7-6 (7-3).