Roger Federer [Images] began his bid for a first Rome Masters title in style with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Juan Ignacio Chela in Rome on Monday.

The world number one, who has failed to win the claycourt tournament in six previous attempts, took just over an hour to outclass the Argentine.

Chela was dragged around the court by his opponent's disorientating changes of pace and direction.

"The score, I think, tells it all," said Federer, who missed last year's tournament due to a foot injury.

"It's good to come back after two years here to Rome and right away win a match.

"I was already playing excellent in practice, so to play well in the match like this is a very good feeling. I'm into the tournament now, and that's a big relief."

Federer will next face home favourite Potito Starace, who cruised past Russia's [Images] Dmitry Tursunov [Images] 6-4, 6-1.

Third seed Ivan Ljubicic and seventh seed James Blake were among the early casualties, going out against Slovakia's Dominik Hrbaty and Frenchman Florent Serra respectively.

Ljubicic, the world number four, was the favourite against Hrbaty after winning five of their six previous meetings, although all but one of the matches had gone to a deciding set.

In the end it was a predictably tight contest, clinched in the 10th game of the third set when a series of errors put Ljubicic at 0-40.

The Croat saved the first match point with an ace but Hrbaty then produced a forehand winner to score a 5-7, 7-6, 6-4 victory.

"At least now I'll have six more days to train myself for the next tournament in Hamburg," said Ljubicic. "The more I play on clay, the more confident I feel."

Blake, who reached the final at Indian Wells in March, never found range on his shots as he lost 6-4, 7-6 to Serra.

Federer's main rival, second-seeded champion Rafael Nadal [Images], begins his campaign against 2004 winner Carlos Moya [Images] on Tuesday.

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