Intro:

Federer and Nishikori look ahead and early action from first round at Halle, Germany.

Script:

The grass of Halle is like a second home to Roger Federer.

"I committed a long time ago to keep coming back here. I even have my own street here. We're standing on the property of the hotel right now and Centre Court is right behind us and I used to warm up in my room sometimes and just walk over and walk straight on to Centre Court and play again and go straight back and take a shower in my room and so it's that easy and that simple here. I think it's a wonderful tournament, really nicely run like most of the tournaments here in Germany and clearly it's also a great preparation for Wimbledon."

Federer has won seven times here in Germany and one of his rivals for number eight could be Kei Nishikori.

"Yes, here is very relaxed and hotel and club is next to (each other) and lot of people show up for the tournament so it's a very fun tournament and for me first grass court season for this year so I'm very excited."

In early first round action, German wild card, Dustin Brown, beat Austrian Andreas Haider-Maurer in straight sets.

While an all-German encounter saw Florian Mayer overcome Jan-Lennard Struff.

Federer is in first round action later on Monday afternoon.