Djokovic takes first-rounder in Germany

HALLE, Germany, June 9 (UPI) -- Second-seeded Novak Djokovic was an easy first-round winner Tuesday at the Gerry Weber Open grass-court tournament in Germany.

Djokovic is the highest-ranked player in the field as defending champion. No. 1-seed Roger Federer withdrew from the tournament Tuesday, citing exhaustion following his French Open victory.

Djokovic didn't suffer a service break in a 7-5, 6-2 win over Simone Bolelli. He had Bolelli on the defensive throughout the match, forcing 10 break-point situations and finishing off three service breaks.

Third-seeded Fernando Verdasco was ousted by Philipp Petzschner 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4. No. 4-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga took out Fabrice Santoro and seventh-seeded Jurgen Melzer rallied for a 12-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over Arnaud Clement.

Oliver Rochus won 71 percent of the points in a 6-0, 6-0 whitewashing of Fernando Vicente.

Also Tuesday, Nicolas Kiefer breezed past Viktor Troicki 6-2, 6-1; Mischa Zverev defeated Joseph Sirianni 6-2, 6-4; Andreas Beck beat Christophe Rochus and Philipp Kohlschreiber whipped Bjorn Phau 6-4, 6-2.