rogerfederer.com - Roger wins opener in Halle

Roger wins opener in Halle

Roger secured a break in both sets today to defeat Jarkko Nieminen 6-4 6-4 in the first round on grass this year.

"I think any surface change has something nice about it, but grass obviously is the most special one because only one month on it," he said. "So every day you have the chance to play on this surface is a special day. I feel it is something you want to savour as long as you are on it."

Roger has won the tournament in Halle five times so far. Today he took just over an hour to set up a second-round match against either Colombia's Alejandro Falla or Israeli qualifier Noam Okun.

A break in each set was just right for Roger today in order to wrap up the match. He scored a total of 11 aces and saw 75 percent of his first serves in the field.