MONTREAL: Roger Federer pointed to a little ring rust rather than the joys of becoming a new dad after beating Frederic Niemeyer 7-6, 6-4 on Tuesday to reach the third round of the Montreal Masters.

In his first match since lifting a record 15th Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon, much has changed in a few weeks for Federer, who arrived in Montreal with his wife, Mirka, new-born twin daughters, Charlene Riva and Myla Rose, and a nanny in tow.

Ranked 487th, Canadian Niemeyer had hoped a few sleepless nights would help level the odds against the world No 1.