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Roger Federer made a winning return from a six-week break Monday in Basel, Switzerland, beating Belgium's Olivier Rochus 6-3, 6-4 at his hometown Swiss Indoors.

The top-ranked Federer is chasing a fourth straight title at the Swiss Indoors, where he once worked as a ballboy. He will next play 51st-ranked Andreas Seppi of Italy, who rallied past Swiss wild-card entry Stephane Bohli 4-6, 6-1, 7-5.

Federer looked refreshed after last playing Sept. 20, when he helped Switzerland defeat Italy in the Davis Cup.

"I was eager to come out and play again," he said. "It's especially nice to come back on tour with my home tournament where I have so many memories."

SERENA SETS RECORD: Serena Williams has set the record for single-season prize money in women's tennis by topping $6.5 million in 2009. Williams broke the WTA mark of slightly under $5.5 million, earned by Justine Henin in 2007.

NASCAR

KESELOWSKI STARTS NEW JOB: Brad Keselowski will start his new job at Penske Racing a little early. Keselowski will drive the No. 12 Dodge for the final three NASCAR Sprint Cup races of the season, replacing David Stremme.

Keselowski, who won the Cup race at Talladega in April, signed a deal in September to take over the No. 12 in 2010. Team owner Roger Penske opted to bring Keselowski in ahead of schedule so the driver can get jump start on next season.

NHL

COYOTES SALE: A U.S. Bankruptcy Court has approved the sale of the franchise to the NHL for about $140 million. The official figure listed in the sale order is $128.4 million, but that does not include the $11.6 million to purchase claims of nearly all the unsecured creditors in the case.

MEN'S GOLF

HUMMINGBIRD: Elon's Jayson Judy shot a 1-under 70 to tie for eighth while the Phoenix sits in a tie for 15th with a first-round 295 at The Hummingbird Intercollegiate hosted by Western Carolina. Kentucky leads the 18-team field with a five-under 279. High Point shot a 292 to finish tied for ninth. HPC's Curtis Brotherton shot a 1-under 70 to tie for eighth.

MEN'S SOCCER

HIGH POINT 1, RADFORD 1: High Point took an early 1-0 lead against Radford as freshman Stephen Clowes scored his fourth goal of the season to give the Panthers a first-half advantage.

BASEBALL

HITOMS CAMP: The HiToms will host a high school prospects showcase from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Finch Field. The camp is open to high school sophomores, juniors and seniors who want to play college baseball. Registration is required. Information: www.hitoms.com or 472-8667.

HONORS

ELON: Sophomore Caroline Lemke was selected SoCon volleyball player of the week.

GREENSBORO COLLEGE: In soccer, Katie Allegro is the Big South defensive player of the week and Cara Wilcox is rookie of the week.