TOKYO, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Roger Federer, in his first competition since winning the U.S. Open, posted a straight-set victory Wednesday in the $765,000 Japan Open Tennis Championships.
Switzerland's Federer, ranked No. 1 in the world, was pushed to a pair of tie-breakers but still needed just two sets to stop Serbian qualifier Viktor Troicki 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-3). The win raised Federer's match record to 73-5 this year.
Federer, who had a first-round bye, moves into the tournament's third round and will meet South Africa's Wesley Moodie, the defending Japan Open titlist. Moodie defeated Austrian Stefan Koubek, 6-3, 6-4, in his second-round match.
Other seeded players who won Wednesday include No. 2 Spaniard Tommy Robredo, No. 3 Croat Mario Ancic and fifth-seeded Finn Jarkko Nieminen. But fourth-seeded Andy Murray, from Scotland, was upset by Czech Jiri Novak, 6-3, 7-6 (7-1).
The hardcourt tournament continues through the week, with the final set for Sunday when the victor claims a first-place check of $118,000.
