Full Masters Cup field

The 23-year-old defending champion recorded a straightforward 6-3 6-4 win in a match that was delayed and then interrupted by rain.

The win maintains Federer's unbeaten record at this year's event.

Spain's Carlos Moya won his first match at the Masters Cup with a 6-3 6-4 win over Gaston Gaudio of Argentina.

The pair were made to wait eight hours after yet more storms delayed the action, but once on court Moya made short work of his Argentine opponent.

I just tried to play my game against him and for the moment that is enough Roger Federer

Gaudio started the better and when Moya settled and moved into a 4-2 lead his opponent threw his racket to the ground in disgust.

After losing the fifth service game of the second set he broke back immediately, only to fall behind soon after, a costly mistake that resulted in a second broken racket and a second Masters Cup defeat.

The result means Moya will probably have to beat Federer if he is to have any chance of progressing to the semi-finals.

"I have to forget who I'm playing with, just play my match and enjoy it. It's not often you get the chance to play one of the best players ever," he said.

The defeat ended Gaudio's hopes of making the last four.

RED GROUP R Federer 2-0 (Sets 4-0) L Hewitt 1-1 (2-3) C Moya 1-1 (3-2) G Gaudio 0-2 (0-4)

For Federer, the victory over Hewitt continues his fine form since returning from a thigh injury.

And his 75-minute victory over Hewitt has allayed fears concerning his fitness.

"I played a good match, not as good as the US Open but this is just my second match in a long time so you cannot expect to play as well as in the US Open final," he said.

"I just tried to play my game against him and for the moment that is enough. I'm just happy to be through."

The Swiss star seized control of the opening set by breaking Hewitt with a backhand crosscourt winner for a 3-1 lead.

He broke again early in the second to take charge of the contest and was 4-2 ahead when rain started falling again.