Federer makes winning start at Halle Open

Swiss tennis maestro Roger Federer stepped up his bid for a record ninth Halle grasscourt title with a straight sets victory over Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff in the opening round on Wednesday.

Federer defeated the German opponent 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) and will next face Tunisia's Malek Jaziri for a place in the last eight, Sport24 reported.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion, who underwent a knee surgery in February, is yet to win a title this year. He was forced to miss the French Open due to a back injury.

Federer also lost to Dominic Thiem in the semifinals of the Stuttgart grasscourt event last week.

The Gerry Weber Open in Halle is a tune-up event for Wimbledon, where Federer will be aiming to win his eighth title when the third Grand Slam tournament of the season starts on June 27.