Intro:

Roger Federer got away with a close call in the opening round of his favourite Wimbledon warm-up event, beating Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-6 (8), 3-6, 7-6 (5) at the Gerry Weber Open at Halle in Germany on Monday (June 15).

Script:

There would have been first round opponents that Roger Federer would have chosen ahead of Philipp Kohlschreiber in Halle.

Federer needed a first set tie break to take the opener and he claimed it 10-8 when the German hit into the net.

However, the World No 31 responded in the second set and at break point on the Federer served forced the seven time Wimbledon Champion into an unforced error.

Kohlschreiber had three set points on his serve and only took the second set at the first chance.

Into the decider and Federer was here at double match point, however Kohlschreiber just about found the line and the match moved into a tie-break decider.

At 5-4 Kohlschreiber, the match was evenly poised.

Federer had been down a mini-break yet broke the German twice to setup match point.

Federer could now play Ernests Gulbis in the second round.