Back on grass, Federer wins in Germany

HALLE, Germany, June 11 (UPI) -- Roger Federer made a successful return to grass-court play Wednesday with a straight-set win at the $1.12 million Garry Weber Open tournament in Germany.

Federer, who was routed Sunday in the final of the clay-court French Open, ran his personal winning streak to 21 matches at the Weber with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Michael Berrer. Federer didn't play at the Halle tournament last year but won it each of the previous four years.

He hasn't lost a match on a grass court since Wimbledon in 2002. He'll look to extend that mark against Jan Vacek on Thursday.

Also Wednesday, second-seeded James Blake rebounded for a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 win over Benjamin Becker and Robin Soderling eliminated third-seeded Tomas Berdych, 6-2, 7-5. Berdych has taken advantage of Federer's bypassing Halle and won the tournament last year.

Philipp Kohlschreiber survived a tough 7-5, 5-7, 7-6 (7-5) match with Tommy Haas and Andres Beck beat Mischa Zverev, 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-5), 6-1.