(Reuters) - Roger Federer bounced back to form with a quick-fire win over Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan on Tuesday as he began his bid for a seventh title at his hometown tournament in Basel.
The Swiss maestro had been dumped out by Spain's unheralded Albert Ramos-Vinolas in his opening match at the Shanghai Masters last time out but recovered his poise back in Europe to power past Kukushkin 6-1 6-2 in 55 minutes.
The world number three wowed his devoted local fans by storming into a 5-0 lead and barely looked back.
"Losing today wouldn't have been great for my confidence.