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Federer eases past Mahut
Roger Federer is back in Rotterdam. In front of 10.000 spectators, including Ronald Koeman, Marco Van Basten and Gio Van Bronchorst, he was ready to make his comeback, seven years after his last appearance in Ahoy.
Federer left no one dissapointed, except maybe Frenchman Nicolas Mahut, who was defeated in 67 minutes, 6-4, 6-4.
Both when he entered and left Centre Court he received incredible applauses - a clear sign of the fact that the former world number one has been missed in Rotterdam for the past seven years. It was no surprise that Ahoy was sold out on a midweek evening for the first time since the renovation last year.
"It was a tough match", Federer said, surely aware of the high expectations from the crowd. But the facts tell a different story. The 30-year-old Swiss was never in trouble, not facing a single breakpoint. Two breaks were enough to secure comfortable win.
Federer didn´t have to play fantastic, but he did occassionally show what he is able to, with some amazing passing shots. "It was a good win", Federer said. " Especially after the defeats to Nadal and Isner, which has been hard to digest".
Federer is directly into the quarters, as Youzhny pulled out with a leg injury. Federer will face Nieminen in the quarters, which is played on Friday.
