Roger Federer advanced to the third round of the Madrid Masters yesterday with a 6-3 7-6 win over Czech Radek Stepanek on his return from a three-week break.

Serbian third seed Novak Djokovic survived a searching test to beat Romanian Victor Hanescu, while Russia's Nikolay Davydenko, seeded five, was sent packing by American qualifier Robby Ginepri.

Switzerland's Roger Federer returns the ball to Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic during their match at the Madrid Masters Series tennis tournament in Madrid Oct. 15, 2008. [Xinhua/Reuters]

Initially Federer had no such concerns, romping to a 3-0 lead as Stepanek's serve fell apart.

But the world number 30 stepped up in the second set -- winning all but one of the points on his first serve -- and seized the advantage in the set decider with a sensational drop shot, before pumping his fist wildly in celebration.

Two points later he had even greater impetus as he took a 5-3 lead but could not hold on as Federer applied the pressure to take the tie break 8-6 and win 6-3 7-6 in one hour and 26 minutes.

"I think I moved with a spring in my step. My feeling out there was positive and confident which is a good feeling to have in the first match which tends to be very tricky," Federer said.