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Doha (AP) - Tennis star Roger Federer briefly raised his arms, smiling, thanked the audience.
The 20-time Grand Slam tournament winner has successfully reported back on the tennis tour with a narrow victory.
The Swiss won his first match in more than a year on his highly anticipated comeback in Doha 7: 6 (10: 8), 3: 6, 7: 5 against the British Daniel Evans.
«It feels good to be back.
It was fun, "said Federer:" I think I played a really good match.
I am incredibly happy with my performance. "
Despite a lack of match practice, the long-time number one in the world moved into the quarter-finals after 2:24 hours and meets the Georgian Nikolos Bassilashvili there.
In the first round, the 39-year-old, who had two knee operations last year, had a bye.
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The approximately 1500 admitted spectators have not yet seen a Federer in top form, but were not disappointed.
However, the Swiss had to face the world number 28.
Evans gave a set for the first time in the fourth comparison, before he made the perfect success in the decisive round with the break to 7: 5 and a backhand winner on his second match point.
It was the first break in the game by the favorite, who already had a match point at 5: 4.
"I was tired," admitted Federer with a view to the end of the encounter.
Federer has not played an official match since the Australian Open 2020 because of the knee surgery.
At that time he failed in the semi-finals in Melbourne against the Serb Novak Djokovic.
As every year, his big goal is Wimbledon, where he has already won eight of his 20 Grand Slam titles to date.
“It was a great challenge,” said the world number six at his long break: “Coming back at my age is not something that is very easy.
But it was worth it because I played a great match today. "
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210310-99-768934 / 4
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Tournament tableau Doha
Federer profile on ATP homepage