Roger Federer marches past Aljaz Bedene in Halle, Alexander Zverev exits

Roger Federer, who reclaimed the number one ranking by winning the Stuttgart title last week, broke his 72nd ranked opponent Aljaz Bedene in the opening round of the Halle Open

Defending champion Roger Federer continued his fine run on grass ahead of Wimbledon with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Slovenia’s Aljaz Bedene in the opening round of the Halle Open on Tuesday, while second-seeded Alexander Zverev suffered an early exit.

Roger Federer dropped just eight points on his serve against Aljaz Bedene at the Halle Open. (AFP)

The 36-year-old Swiss, who reclaimed the number one ranking by winning the Stuttgart title last week, broke his 72nd ranked opponent in the second game and maintained the advantage to claim the first set.

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Federer dropped just eight points on his serve and was hardly troubled in a one-sided contest as he converted a decisive break point in the ninth game of the second set to march to victory.

“I got out of the box well, I felt good right away,” Federer said. “This is an easier court to play than last week in Stuttgart.

“The ball bounces up higher into my strike zone. I was connecting well on returns and I could read his serve.”

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Chasing a record-extending 10th title in Halle, Federer will next look to improve his 6-0 head-to-head advantage over Frenchman Benoit Paire, who beat American Steve Johnson 7-5 7-6(5).

World number three Zverev began his grasscourt campaign with a disappointing 6-1 6-4 defeat by Croatian Borna Coric.

The German dropped his serve four times in an erratic display as Coric clinched his 20th match win of the season.