( CNN ) -- Roger Federer began preparations for the defense of his Wimbledon title by cruising into the quarterfinals with a crushing victory over German wildcard Cedrik-Marcel Stebe at the Halle Open Wednesday . The 17-time grand slam winner needed just 67 minutes to record a 6-3 6-3 win in his first outing since losing to France 's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the quarterfinal stage of the French Open . Federer suffered defeat playing alongside Tommy Haas in the doubles on Monday but bounced back in comfortable fashion . `` I was satisfied with my performance even if there were things I could have done better , '' the world number three told reporters . `` I hope to get stronger with each match . '' Federer , 31 , has not won a single title this season and is keen to get to add to the five crowns he has already won at the German tournament . The Swiss ace has reached the final seven times , winning five of those between 2003-2008 , while he lost out in 2010 to Lleyton Hewitt , and to Germany 's Haas last year . `` Any title is good for your confidence , '' he added . `` I want to be in the best position to do well here in Halle then at Wimbledon . I feel that my best chance is here . '' Federer will face German Mischa Zverev , ranked 156 in the world , in the next round . One man who wo n't be playing at Wimbledon is France 's Gael Monfils , who has withdrawn from the tournament for personal reasons . `` I 've withdrawn my request for a wildcard because I 've got a small personal problem to sort out during the coming week , '' he told reporters following his second round win over Jan Hernych in Halle . `` Something unexpected has come up in the first week of Wimbledon . '' Monfils , ranked 67 in the world , is expected to compete at the Stuttgart clay-court tournament which starts on July 8 . Elsewhere at Halle , Japan 's Kei Nishikori suffered a shock three-set defeat by Russia ' Mikhail Youzhny . The Russian , 30 , claimed a surprise 6-1 6-7 6-3 win after a battle which lasted over two hours . Meanwhile , former World No.1 Lleyton Hewitt pulled off an impressive straight sets win over Bulgaria 's rising star Grigor Dimitrov at Queen 's Club in London . Hewitt , who won at Wimbledon in 2002 , prevailed 6-4 6-3 in just 68 minutes . `` Today 's victory is going to help me immensely , '' he told the ATP website . `` I feel like in practice , I have been hitting the ball great . It was just a matter of doing it on the match court . `` My first match was n't pretty , but I fought hard and got through it . That 's what I needed to do . Then today it was a classy performance . '' Hewitt will play 2010 winner Sam Querrey for a place in the quarterfinals . Elsewhere , there were victories for Tomas Berdych , Alexandr Dolgopolov and British wild card Dan Evans . Andy Murray 's match against Nicolas Mahut was suspended because of rain after the Briton had taken the first set 6-3 .
Roger Federer wins opening match at Halle Open in Germany . The 17-time grand slam winner yet to pick up a title this year . Gael Monfils withdraws from Wimbledon for personal reasons . Lleyton Hewitt shocks Grigor Dimitrov at Queen 's Club .