By Bill Scott May 3, 2010, 16:57 GMT
Estoril, Portugal - Roger Federer drew a crowd Monday as the Swiss got back to work on his preparation for the French Open with a first training session at the Estoril Open.
Several hundred fans lined a walkway as the world number one, playing the small event for the second time after winning it on his debut in 2008, arrived at an outside clay court at the Estadio Nacionale.
The 16-time Grand Slam champion and coach Severin Luthi immediately found themselves again the centre of attention as some eager spectators managed to watch the session through a tall hedge surrounding the court while the Swiss went through his paces.
In addition, a WTA match at the joint event was being played on an adjoining court.
Federer only arrived in Estoril Sunday after practising in Rome following last Tuesday's shock second-round loss to eventual semi-finalist Ernests Gulbis.
The reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon winner was also seen shopping with wife Mirka and the couple's twin daughters in Rome's world-famed high-fashion boutique district near the Spanish Steps.
But Federer has more important priorities as he tries to get a clay rhythm going after a false start at the Foro Italico.
His programme includes a title defence at the Madrid Masters next week, and going to the Spanish capital with a confidence-boosting Portuguese title tucked away would be the perfect tonic.
'The French Open is somewhere in the back in my mind, but what I think is about winning three,four, five matches in a row again,' Federer said after his Rome setback. 'That's what I'm aiming to do and that's why I'm happy I'm playing Estoril.'
Federer second-round opener after a bye is scheduled for Wednesday with an opponent coming from a qualifier or German Bjorn Phau.
Federer is struggling to resume his winning habit after losing two consecutive matches, the Miami fourth round to Czech Tomas Berdych and last week in Rome to the fast-improving youngster Gulbis.
On court at the joint ATP-WTA event, Colombian Alejandro Falla spoiled the return of 2004 winner Juan Chela as he beat the seventh-seeded Argentina 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).
Chela, ranked 54th,beat popular Marat Safin for the title six years ago, then returned the next year for a first-round defeat, his last appearance at the event.
In the women's draw, German Julia Goerges hammered Canadian third seed Aleksandra Wozniak 6-1, 6-1 in just over three-quarters of an hour.
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