Roger Federer survived a scare against the unseeded Filip Krajinovic to extend his winning run at the Swiss Indoors Basel to 16 matches.
World number three Federer began his bid for a ninth title in his hometown with a hard-fought 6-2 4-6 6-4 first-round triumph over the Serbian.
The Swiss coasted through the first set but was broken three times as Krajinovic forced a decider, where the top seed required two chances to serve out the match.
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Federer won his only previous meeting with Krajinovic at the Indian Wells Masters this year in straight sets and he looked on course for a repeat following a searing start.
The 37-year-old responded to dropping his serve twice in succession in the second set by breaking Krajinovic to love but, after saving a set point with an ace, he sent a forehand into the net to send the match the distance.
Federer came under continued pressure and despite failing to serve out the set after coming through an 11-minute game with a break of serve, a long backhand from Krajinovic sent him into a second-round meeting with Jan-Lennard Struff.
Sweet 16...consecutive wins in hometown Basel for @rogerfederer #SwissIndoorsBasel pic.twitter.com/VFN1V0tEdx
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 23, 2018