Federer gives Switzerland 1-0 lead over Serbia

Switzerland’s Roger Federer celebrates after winning his match over Ilija Bozoljac of Serbia during their Davis Cup World Group play-off first round tennis match between Serbia and Switzerland, in Novi Sad, Serbia, Friday, Jan. 31, 2014. AP

NOVI SAD, Serbia — Returning to Davis Cup, Roger Federer cruised past Ilija Bozoljac to give Switzerland a 1-0 lead over Serbia in the first-round tie on Friday.

Federer won 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 in less than two hours, and faced little challenge from Bozoljac, who served well but still was no match for the Swiss.

Bozoljac opened the match with two aces and had a set point while leading 5-2 in the second. But Federer held serve and broke to regain control over the set.

“Ilija was playing well, especially in the second set,” Federer said. “It was a tough game, it could have been one set all.”

Federer was making his first Davis Cup appearance since 2012.

Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka faced Dusan Lajovic in the second singles on Friday.

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