Federer shows no signs of rust

Roger Federer returned from a month-long layoff with a 6-4 6-4 second round victory over Roberto Bautista Agut on Tuesday at the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati.

“It’s the first round of the hard court season for the next six plus months or so,” Federer told the ATP Tour website after his first match at the tournament having received a bye into the second round.

Earlier, controversial Australian Nick Kyrgios, who hit the headlines last week when he taunted opponent Stan Wawrinka in Montreal, was crushed 6-2 6-1 by Richard Gasquet in their first round match.

Gasquet, the 12th seed, converted four of his six break points before sealing victory with his fourth ace of the match and will next face 19-year-old Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis, who was an integral part of Kyrgios’ taunts last week.