Halle, Germany: Swiss great Roger Federer recovered from 5-3 down in the final set to overcome Philipp Kohlschreiber in the opening round of the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany yesterday.
World number two Federer, 33, required two tie-breaks to beat the German 7-6, 3-6, 7-6 and make a successful start to his grass-court campaign.
The top seed has seven Halle titles and is preparing for an attempt to win a record eighth Wimbledon crown.
World number six Tomas Berdych faces Victor Estrella Burgos today.
Czech Berdych plays his first-round match after French fourth seed Gael Monfils, who faces Czech Lukas Rosol.
Meanwhile, Lleyton Hewitt suffered a frustrating farewell to Queen’s Club as the four-time champion squandered a match point in a 6-7 (5/7), 7-5, 6-2 defeat against South Africa’s Kevin Anderson, yesterday in London.
Hewitt is embarking on a prolonged goodbye tour before retiring after next year’s Australian Open and he was hoping for one last hurrah on his final visit to the Wimbledon warm-up event.
But the injury-ravaged 34-year-old, making his 16th Queen’s appearance, is ranked 100 places below the big-serving Anderson and he was unable to bridge that class gap in a hard-fought first round clash.
After failing to serve out the match in the second set, Hewitt allowed Anderson to wriggle out of trouble and the world number 17 eventually coasted through to a second round tie against French Open champion Stan Wawrinka or Australian youngster Nick Kyrgios.
“I’ve loved playing here for so many years. It’s one of my favourite tournaments of the year outside of the majors,” Hewitt said.
“It was special to come back. Knowing it was going to be the last one, as well,” he said.
“I don’t think it will be that emotional the rest of the year. I’m fortunate because not many people in sport get to go out on their terms and so far it looks like I’ll be able to do that.”
Only Boris Becker, John McEnroe and Andy Roddick have won Queen’s as often as Hewitt, who made his debut here as a brash teenager in 1998 and claimed the last of his titles in 2006.AGENCIES
