Smiles for Federer after winning start at Indian Wells

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

INDIAN WELLS, California (Reuters) - Swiss world number one Roger Federer, back in action after recovering from a recent viral problem, smiled broadly after easing through his opening match at the Pacific Life Open on Sunday.

The top seed crushed Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-3 6-2 in a second-round encounter at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden where he was champion for three years in a row from 2004.

"I'm happy the way it went today," a beaming Federer told reporters after breaking his opponent three times on the Stadium Court to wrap up victory in 68 minutes.

"I came up with some nice plays at the right moments so I was very pleased with my performance today. I wouldn't play too risky but I got off to a good start and could have taken many more chances, I think.

The 26-year-old Swiss said he moved pretty quickly on court.

"I was happy with that. No breathing problems, no pains or aches, so everything was fine."

Federer had competed in only two ATP events this season after succumbing to mononucleosis (glandular fever) at the end of last year.

He lost to Serb Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the Australian Open in January and was beaten in the first round in Dubai last week by Briton Andy Murray.