Federer crushes his old pal for the 16th time

DUBAI: Roger Federer crushed a familiar opponent for the 16th successive time as he made an encouraging return to the ATP World Tour after his Australian Open debacle.

The Grand Slam record-holder´s lively 6-3, 6-1 win over Mikhail Youzhny, a regular sparring partner, in the first round of the Dubai Open helped him begin to rebuild after a dispiriting third round loss in Melbourne.

The Swiss legend did this consistently well, serving forcefully, striking the ball with surprisingly good rhythm in a stiff breeze, and shortening the rallies by coming to the net successfully on plenty of occasions.

Youzhny, who has twice reached the final here, is still a fluent ground-stroker but only remained a contender in this match for the first seven games against a Federer intent on not playing too carefully in tricky conditions - a mistake he believes he made in Australia.

Youzhny then saved three break points before being pressured into driving too long on the fourth.

After that Federer consolidated the break with a sharp service game before breaking again to close the first set. The second was so quick the match was over inside one hour.

Later Federer learned he will not have a chance of avenging last month´s Australian Open loss to Andreas Seppi in the third round here.

The Italian saved two second set match points and led 4-2 in the final set, but was still beaten by talented but inconsistent Frenchman Richard Gasquet, 6-4, 6-7 (1/7), 6-4.

Gasquet, who won the Montpellier title on indoor courts two weeks ago, survived on the faster outdoor courts here partly because he regained control of his emotions after a second set disappointment that caused him to lash the ball furiously into the crowd.

If Gasquet wins again, against either Roberto Bautista Agut, the seventh seeded Spaniard, or Dominic Thiem of Austria, he may play Federer.

The six times former champion will play one of two Spaniards, Guillermo Verdasco or Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, on Wednesday. (AFP)