NEWPORT — Bigger servers and harder hitters have come through the Newport Casino the last three decades, but few, if any, have possessed sweeter strokes than Fabrice Santoro.

Smooth as a scoop of coffee ice cream on a Rhode Island summer afternoon, Santoro glides about a tennis court, slicing two-handed forehands and backhands, popping occasional topspin ground strokes and serving effortlessly.

The 35-year-old Frenchman did it all yesterday in his trademark Lacoste crocodile whites, beating Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi of Pakistan, 7-6 (4), 6-2, in the second round of the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships before 2,390 spectators. It was his first singles appearance on the stadium court since he won the 2007 Hall of Fame title last July.

“I was very excited to be back here. You know, when you won a title, it’s so good to come back. I had a very good week here last year, a very good sensation on the court, so I was happy to be back on the same court,” he said.

Santoro is the oldest player in the draw this year. American Vincent Spadea and Australian Joseph Sirianni are 33. In addition to years, Santoro has more ATP titles, five, than any other player here.

Having received a first-round bye as a result of the 28-man draw this year, he played his first match on a Thursday for the first time in his 20-year career.

“It was a bit late . . . but the good point is I came here Saturday, so I had four days to practice. I played one doubles match on the same court to get used to the low bounce, and at the end I’m pretty happy about my rhythm,” he said.

He wasn’t anxious as other players got court time earlier in the week.

“I tell you the truth. Now I am not working enough when I am at home. I’m not practicing enough when I’m home. So the good point is I came here Saturday and I’m here Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. That’s why I played a very good match today because I got ready.”

Santoro didn’t capitalize on a break point in the sixth game of the first set. In the tiebreaker, he and Qureshi exchanged mini-breaks to 3-3. Qureshi broke ahead, 4-3, but Santoro won the last four points. Qureshi’s volley at 4-5 landed just out, and he doubled-faulted on the next point.

“For me, the ball is clearly out. That was the opinion of the umpire also. At this stage of the match, it’s a big point,” Santoro said of the volley.

At break point in the first game of the second set, Santoro angled one of his two-fisted deliveries for a winner.

“It was a lucky shot,” he said with a shrug.

He broke again in the seventh game after Qureshi saved three break points. At deuce, Santoro drove a backhand passing shot down the line for a winner, and at break point Qureshi pushed a backhand volley long. Santoro served a love game for the match.

“I knew I had to play well to win this one,” he said. “He’s a real grass-court player. He’s a very good player on center court. He played a match before. So I knew it was going to be a tough match. And I said, OK, if you want to win this one, you have to play well right away. And I was happy to do it. I think I played a very steady match.”

Steady indeed. No deuce points, break points or double faults on his serve. No baseline mistakes.

“And I was attacking quite well,” he said.

Santoro made 58 percent of his first serves, calling that the worst part of his game.

“I can serve better. My forehand, my backhand, my volley are quite good. I’m pretty fit physically. But my serve is not good enough yet.”

Santoro is ranked No. 57 in the world, but at his age he is not sure how much longer he will play. He will be 36 in December.

“If I play next year, it won’t be a full year. Either I don’t play, or I play 12 tournaments maximum,” he said.

If he can win four matches in four days and defend his title, he will return to Newport.

“Sure,” he said. “That’s a deal, no?”

mszostak@projo.com