Basle, Switzerland - An onslaught of 28 aces went for nought as huge Croatian server Ivo Karlovic was tamed 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 by Frenchman Florent in the opening round of the Swiss Indoors Monday. Serra, a lucky loser from qualifying rounds, turned the big man's weapon in a superb defensive effort lasting just 67 minutes on a day when Roger Federer was due to return to the court after a six-week pause.
The top seed and winner of the last three editions - his last loss at home came in 2003 to Ivan Ljubicic - will face off later in his opening match against qualifier Olivier Rochus.
The gritty Belgian is just ten days removed from a final indoors in Stockholm, where he lost to Marcos Baghdatis.
Federer last played on the ATP in the US Open final, scene of his loss to Argentine Juan Del Potro, who withdrew from this week's event due to a continuing wrist problem and a psychological letdown since earning his Grand Slam title over the master.
Federer skipped the October ATP Asian swing, with drawing with regrets form Tokyo and Shanghai.
Instead, the 15-time Grand Slam champion who was to be celebrated later by his hometown event with an operatic performance on court, spent time with wife Mirka and the couple's three-month-old twin daughters.
The world number one should be rested and refreshed to tackle the last three weeks of his season, with Basel to be followed by the Paris Masters and the eight-man World Tour Finals in London from November 22.
Serb Novak Djokovic, whose only previous Basle appearance was a qualifying loss in 2004, plays as second seed behind Federer with 2005 champion Fernando Gonzales of Chile on third.
Opening act Stephane Bohli of Switzerland let the side down in a 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 first-round defeat by Italy's Andreas Seppi, who had to fight off a third-set rally from the underdog number 148 who has played and lost just four ATP matches this season.
Victory required two and a half hours and puts Seppi into the line of fire for a potential second-round clash with Federer.
Federer brings a 55-8 record into the event and stands 29 wins and six losses at his sentimental venue.
