Federer Is a Winner in Return

Top-seeded Roger Federer of Switzerland began his bid for a third consecutive Tennis Masters Cup title with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 victory over eighth-seeded David Nalbandian of Argentina on Sunday.

Federer, recovering from a sprained ankle, was playing his first match in seven weeks and moved smoothly against Nalbandian in the season-ending championship.

“There were some good moments and some bad moments,” Federer said. “But with the injury, I’m happy I’m back.”

Sixth-seeded Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia defeated fourth-seeded Guillermo Coria of Argentina, 6-2, 6-3.

The other group in the eight-player field -- Rafael Nadal of Spain, Nicolay Davydenko of Russia, Gaston Gaudio of Argentina and Andre Agassi -- begins play tonight.

Federer is trying to match the three consecutive season-ending titles of Ivan Lendl (1985-87). Pete Sampras won three, the last in 1999, when it was known as the ATP Tour World Championships.

Federer, the Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion, improved to 78-3 this year. He could equal John McEnroe’s match-winning percentage record (.965) in a calendar year, the best of the men’s professional era, by winning his two round-robin matches and the title.

Federer appeared as if he were going to make it a quick outing. He fought back from triple break point to hold serve in the third game, then broke in the sixth game to win the first set.