Federer back in action, wins Swiss opener

BASEL, Switzerland, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- Roger Federer, playing in his first event since the U.S. Open, scored a straight-set victory Monday in the first round of his hometown Swiss Indoors tournament.

Federer defeated Belgian qualifier Olivier Rochus 6-3, 6-3, in Basel, Switzerland.

The world's No. 1 player hit 12 aces during the 66-minute match.

Federer hadn't played in a tournament since he lost in five sets to Juan Martin del Potro in the U.S. Open final in September.

Italian Andreas Seppi, who beat Stephane Bohli of Switzerland 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 in another first-round Swiss Indoors match, will be Federer's opponent in the second round.

Czech Radek Stepanek eliminated German Rainer Schuettler 6-2, 6-0 and Florent Serra of France topped Croatia's Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (7-5), 6-4. in other openers.