The former World No. 1 Roger Federer played a professional Tennis match after almost 14 months as he took the court after 405 days. Federer came up with a fine performance against Great Britain’s Dan Evans as he won 7-6, 3-6, 7-5.

The Swiss maestro looked a bit rusty but he was able to come out as a winner in the end in the second round of the ongoing Qatar Open. Federer won the first set in the tie-breaker as he won it in 10 points. The champion won 78% of his service points in the first set.

However, Evans deservingly bounced back as he broke Federer’s serve in the fourth game of the second set. Fed tried to come back but Evans was able to hold his serve to take the second set.

Federer then had two Match-points in the deciding set but couldn’t convert them after both players were able to hold their serve till the 10th game of the set. However, World No. 6 came up with a brilliant backhand down the line to finish the game.

Fed revealed that it has been a difficult road for him after undergoing two knee surgeries. The legend is already 39-years old and it will not be easy for him from here on. Federer added it feels good to be back on the court after a long layoff.

“Feels good to be back. I’m happy to be standing here regardless of whether I won or lost. Nice to finish with a backhand down the line, always on a match point,” Federer expressed after grabbing the win. 

“Important is how I feel tomorrow & next day & so forth for the next 6 months basically. Been a long tough road for me but I enjoyed it though….to come back at my age is not something that is very simple but I’ve had a wonderful team around me,” the 39-year-old added.

Roger Federer will next face Nikoloz Basilashvili in the quarter-final of the Qatar Open.