Federer returns to tour with victory

Roger Federer has returned to tennis after a two-and-a-half month layoff with a comfortable win over Guillermo Garcia-Lopez at the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters.

The third seed, who received a first-round bye, eased into the third round of the ATP Masters 1000 event with a 6-3 6-4 win.

Federer tore his meniscus shortly after his loss in the Australian Open semifinals, an injury requiring surgery. He then intended to return to competition at the Miami Open before a virus forced his withdrawal.

It meant he had not played a competitive match in 10 weeks.

“I think I got what I needed. So we’ll see how I feel tomorrow, tonight, the next day. At this point I’m pretty confident I’ll feel fine,” Federer said.

“Every week that goes by, you feel more confident, more solid. I’ve been going full out for three weeks now maybe. I felt really good.”

Meanwhile, Andy Murray overcame some sloppy serving to beat France’s Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-2 4-6 6-3 in his second-round match.

The Briton sealed the first set on Tuesday when Herbert’s forehand sailed long but dropped his serve three times in the second as Herbert leveled with a volley at the net.

Murray, the tournament’s second seed, then took control, breaking Herbert’s serve and holding for a 4-1 lead.

He clenched his fist after saving a break point with an ace serving at 4-2 and won on his next service game when Herbert swatted a return into the net.

Murray next faces either Joao Sousa or 16th seed Benoit Paire.