Federer Wins, Coria, Ferrero Early Losers at Rotterdam

World No. 1 Roger Federer, making his first appearance since his loss in the semifinals at the Australian Open, eased past qualifier Bohdan Ulihrach 6-3, 6-4 Wednesday at the ATP indoor stop in Rotterdam.

"It's never easy you know, the first-round matches," Federer said. "I'm happy that I'm through. I'm playing against another Swiss in the second round, that will be interesting."

Upset victims on the day were (2) Guillermo Coria, ousted in three sets by Paradorn Srichaphan, and (7) Dominik Hrbaty, beaten in three sets by big-serving Croat Ivan Ljubicic.

"It was the first time I've played him," said The Thai Fighter after beating El Fragile. "I've practiced with him many times but I think it was a great win. It's a great feeling to play a top player and to finally win."

No. 5 seed Joachim Johansson turned back a stiff challenge by Taipei qualifier Yeu-Tzuoo Wang in three sets, while No. 6 Nikolay Davydenko rolled Tomas Berdych with a bagel in the second.

Other unseeded winners Wednesday were Dutch wildcard Sjeng Schalken (d. Pavel, coming from a set down), 19-year-old Swiss qualifier Stanislas Wawrinka (d. Grosjean), and Radek Stepanek keeping the losing ways of former No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero alive with a three-set win.

Thursday's scheduled second-round matches are Mario Ancic vs. (Q) Olivier "The Roach" Rochus, (5) The Jackhammer vs. T.Johansson in an all-Swedish all-Johansson, (1) Federer vs. (Q) Wawrinka in a rare all-Swiss, Ljubicic vs. (WC) Schalken, and (3) Henman vs. Llodra in a race to the net.