Federer wins at Swiss indoor event

BASEL, Switzerland, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Third-seeded Roger Federer knocked off Italian Potito Starace Monday in the first round of the Swiss Indoors event in his home town of Basel.

Federer notched seven aces in defeating Starace 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 in 1 hour, 18 minutes. The former world No. 1, who hadn't played since losing to Novak Djokovic in the U.S. Open semifinals last month, is now 39-7 lifetime in Basel.

In a Day 1 upset, eighth-seeded Serb Viktor Trojcki was upset by Marcos Baghdatis 4-6, 7-6 (10-8), 6-2.

Lucky-loser Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan, replacing Austrian Jurgen Melzer, who pulled out with a back injury, ousted American wild card Donald Young 6-4, 6-2.

Djokovic and Andy Murray are the top seeds in the event, which also includes former No. 1 Andy Roddick, seeded seventh. Djokovic, out five weeks with a back injury, meets Belgian Xavier Malisse Tuesday.

The 2011 Basel champion will collect $450,000.