France, March 11 -- Former world number one Roger Federer won on his return to competition after a 14-month injury absence.

Federer, 39, had not played since a straight sets defeat to Novak Djokovic at the 2020 Australian Open.

On Wednesday in the last 16 at the Qatar Open in Doha, he beat Daniel Evans 7-6, 3-6, 7-5 to advance to the last eight.

There were moments of rustiness and uncharacteristic mistakes. But also flashes of the silky skills that have made him one of the sport's greatest players.

Federer, who underwent two operations on his knee during his time away from the circuit, took the first set tiebreaker 10-8 after saving two set points.

The 20-time Grand Slam tournament champion squandered chances to take his opponent's s...