World number one Federer completed a clinical 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 first-round win over American Michael Russell on Tuesday, in a contest which spilled over to a second day after drizzle had washed away all but 14 matches on the opening two days of the claycourt event.
"It's not easy," Federer said.
"It's kind of cool today, windy, been raining the last few days. So we haven't been having much of a chance to hit much tennis balls."
Federer didn't face a break point, winning 78 percent of points on his serve.
"I served well," said Federer, a 10-time Grand Slam champion who next will face Thierry Ascione.
Images from Day 1 | Day 2
Photographs: Getty Images
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