BASEL (Switzerland) - ROGER Federer eased through to the second round of the Swiss Indoors here on Monday on his return after a six week break with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Belgian qualifier Olivier Rochus.

The world number one - bidding for a fourth successive Swiss Indoors title - shook off the rust from a six-week break to roar through and a date with Italian Andreas Seppi in just 66 minutes.

Federer's march to victory was preceded by an operatic performance with massed choir and selections from Aida as his hometown honoured three straight titles at the St Jakobshalle by the world-famed native son.

'I felt so good out there,' said the winner, who needed three match points to go through after earning the first two winning chances with his 11th and 12th aces of a quick evening.

The Swiss top seed broke in the sixth game of the 29-minute first set, then fired his fifth ace for a 5-2 lead before securing the opening lead.

In the second, Federer went ahead 3-2 and was untroubled save his minor niggles in closing out the straightforward victory. -- AFP