Defending champion Swiss tennis ace Roger Federer has advanced in the second round of the 2015 Gerry Weber Open. Federer defeated Philipp Kohlschreiber in a three-setter 7-6 3-6 7-6 in the 23^rd edition of the tennis event played on the grass courts in Halle.

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Federer, who is looking to win his seventh title in the tournament, won the first set on a tie-break. However, Kohlschreiber seemed determined not to give up the match easily as the German fought back to take the second set. Federer was not going to let his opponent to score a first win against him on his favourite surface. The 17-time grand slam champion sealed the victory on another tie-break in the third set.

"Philipp deserved winning, too," Federer said via Gerryweber-open.de.

Federer added that he felt that things weren't going his way, after he was downed in the second set. Winning the first round match couldn't have made Federer happier as he continues his quest to win another title, his eighth, in Halle.

After his successful start to his grasscourt campaign, the Swiss top seed will now play against Ernests Gulbis in the next round. Gulbis beat Sergiy Stakhovsky in straight sets 6-4 7-6 to clinch a place in the second round. Federer and Gulbis' head-to-head via ATPWorldTour.com is tied at 2-2. Gulbis won in their last meeting during the Round of 16 match at the 2014 French Open.

In other matches, third seed Tomas Berdych has advanced in the second round after defeating Viktor Estrella Burgos 7-5 6-3. Berdych will face up-and-coming Borna Coric in his next match.

Ivo Karlovic has also secured a spot in the second round. Karlovic beat Santiago Giraldo 6-7 6-4 6-4. He will face wildcard Alexander Zverev.

Andreas Seppi and Tommy Robredo are to square off after scoring victories over Tommy Haas 7-5 6-2 and qualifier Ricardas Beranks 6-4 7-6 7-6, respectively.

Japan No. 1 Kei Nishikori has also advanced in Halle. The second-seeded Japanese player beat Dominic Thiem in straight sets 7-6 7-5.

Frenchman Gael Monfils, who is the number four seed, overcame Lukas Rosol in straight sets 6-3 6-4. Monfils has set up a clash with Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan, who crushed Jiri Vesely in the previous round.

Tagsfederer, gerry weber open, Halle, kohlschreiber, tournament, Tommy Robredo, Andreas Seppi, Kei Nishikori, Wimbledon Open 2015