World number one Roger Federer needed just over an hour to breeze into the second round of the Halle ATP tournament with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Germany's Michael Berrer on Wednesday.

Having been thrashed in Sunday's final at Roland Garros by clay-court king Rafael Nadal, Federer is in Halle, western Germany, to sharpen his game on grass as he bids to win Wimbledon for a sixth time later this month.

"That was pretty easy, my first serve was excellent, my movement was good, my reaction was good, I am very happy with my performance," said Federer.

"It's not difficult to switch from grass to clay, both surfaces are very smooth and both feel natural for me.

"This was one of my best first round matches on grass, I put pressure on Michael Berrer and dominated him. What more could I ask for?"

Federer will now play qualifier Jan Vacek from the Czech Republic in Thursday's second round. "I have never played him before, so I want to figure him out early," said the Swiss master.

Second seed James Blake from the United States had a far tougher time as he needed nearly two hours to beat Germany's Benjamin Becker to make the third round with a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 win.

"This was hard work — Becker was serving really great — I had to keep up the attitude and try to work on getting rebreaks straight away," said the 28-year-old.

"I took good care of my serve and in the end I could close the match well."

Earlier, defending champion Tomas Berdych made a second round exit here after a straight sets defeat to Sweden's Robin Soderling.

Having beaten Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus in last year's final, the Czech had no reply to Soderling's strong grass-court game before losing 6-2, 7-5.

"This was not one of my best days," said the 22-year-old. "I was not in the match and lost the first set easy.

"His game was solid and I couldn't stay close to him — he has a great serve and the grass court suits his game."

But there was frustration for former world number two Tommy Haas on his comeback from a shoulder injury when he also lost his second round match to compatriot and German number one Philipp Kohlschreiber.

And Haas dropped a big retirement hint after he lost the third set tie-breaker as Kohlschreiber claimed a 7-5, 5-7, 7-6 (7/5) victory in two hours and 27 minutes.

"I am totally frustrated," said 30-year-old Haas. "I could and should have won. There were break points already in the first set which I could not convert.

"I am very ambitious — so I really am frustrated. I cannot tell you what's on my mind. Tomorrow, I will be in a plane back home (to Florida) and sometimes I just don't know whether to go on. Especially when it is that close — you just want to win."

AFP