• Hamburg Open

Federer back in the winners' circle

Roger Federer's last competitive match ended in a shock defeat at Wimbledon © Getty Images

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Roger Federer is back to winning ways after he overcame a spirited performance from birthday boy Daniel Brands at the Hamburg Open.

Federer, returning to the German event for the first time since 2008, was playing in his first competitive match since a shock second-round exit at the hands of Sergiy Stakhovsky in Wimbledon.

But Brands certainly did not make it easy for Federer, a four-time winner in Hamburg, by taking the first set before the Swiss recovered to win in 86 minutes.

Elsewhere today, second seed Tommy Haas survived a scare from qualifier Blaz Kavcic before prevailing 6-1 4-6 6-4.

The German had already regrouped after dropping the second set but blew a 4-1 lead in the third to allow the Slovenian to pull level. But Haas broke to clinch the match when Kavcic, securing the win when Kavcic sent a forehand long.

Argentinean defending champion Juan Monaco beat Gael Monfils 6-4 6-4, while Spain's Feliciano Lopez saw off German wildcard Jan-Lennard Struff 7-5 6-3.

Marcel Granollers also claimed a place in the third round, beating sixth seed Andreas Seppi 6-2 1-6 6-1, but fellow Spaniards Tommy Robredo and Albert Ramos crashed out - Ramos was comfortably dispatched by Italy's Fabio Fognini 6-1 6-3, while 10th seed Robredo fell to Argentinean qualifier Federico Delbonis 6-1 4-6 6-4.

Carlos Berlocq completed a good day for the South American contingent in Germany, edging out 16th seed Martin Klizan 4-6 6-1 7-6(6).

Had a great time playing again on center court here in #Hamburg, really nice city to be in. Looking forward to my 2nd match tomorrow!— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) July 17, 2013

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