Federer Tested by Qualifier at ATP Halle

It was the 37th consecutive win on grasscourts for the Swiss who is fast closing on Bjorn Borg's record of 41.

"Well, as long as I win it's all good," said the three-time Halle defending champion. "Expectations are not very high in a first match like this. Especially coming from the (French Open) final, getting over it, more emotionally in a way, being exhausted from all the pressure. Then three days later being on a totally different surface in the first round best of three sets. It's such a big difference that you can't expect yourself to play well."

Also advancing in first-round play was unseeded Frenchman Arnaud Clement, who defeated Dane lucky loser Kristian Pless in straight sets.

Winners in second-round action were (8) Kristof Vliegen (d. (Q) Chiudinelli, bagel in the second) and unseeded German Florian Mayer (d. (3) Nieminen in three).

Slated for Thursday in Halle are Santoro vs. Clement in an all-French, (1) Federer vs. Gasquet, Safin vs. (7) O.Rochus, (6) Haas vs. Seppi, Soderling vs. (WC) Pavel, and (5) Berdych vs. Novak in an all-Czech meeting.