Roger Federer eased into the second round of the Australian Open on Monday with a straight-sets victory over Yen-Hsun Lu, win number 1,001 of his amazing career.
Seeking his 18th grand slam title and first in Melbourne since 2010, Federer was in complete command against the world number 47, winning 6-4 6-2 7-5 in one hour and 53 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.
The 33-year-old fired nine aces and won 86 per cent of points on his first serve and will face Simone Bolelli in the last 64 after the Italian defeated Argentina's Juan Monaco in four sets.
“I thought it was a really good level,” Federer said. “Lu played a tough match and I really had to step it up. I’ve played him before so knew what he was capable of.
“The season is still early and it’s tough to get rhythm, especially in the first round but it was a nice match.”
Federer, who recorded his 1,000th win in the final of the Brisbane International earlier this month, has never lost in the first round of the Australian Open and there was never any danger of that record being broken.
One break of serve was enough to secure the opening set and two more gave him the second, although the second seed did have to save two break points when serving at 5-2.
There were a few signs of frustration from Federer as he battled to gain another break in the third set, the Swiss star having to wait until the 11th game to end Lu’s brave resistance.
Warm, dry conditions and an unknown hard-hitting opponent gave Andy Murray some cause for concern before the sixth seed advanced to the second round of the Australian Open with a 6-3 6-4 7-6(3) victory over India's Yuki Bhambri on Monday.
The 27-year-old Murray, appearing on the newly refurbished Margaret Court Arena, did not look too troubled by the former junior world number one, even though he had some nervous moments in the third set when the qualifier held a 4-1 lead.
“The last couple days have been pretty cold, very cloudy, and today obviously the sun was out (and) the court was livelier,” Murray said of the conditions at Melbourne Park.
“When it’s dry as well, it didn’t feel humid at all, the ball travels through the air quicker.
Rafael Nadal was all about big statements on Monday's opening day of the Australian Open as he emerged onto Rod Laver Arena in a hot pink shirt and trounced Russian veteran Mikhail Youzhny 6-3 6-2 6-2 to gain a welcome dose of confidence.
Undercooked and on the comeback trail after a long lay-off due to injury and illness, the third-seeded Spaniard needed only a handful of games at Rod Laver Arena before clicking into grand slam gear.
Needing less than two hours to account for former top-10 player Youzhny, he prowled around the centre court like an uncaged tiger, blazing winners and pumping his fists in an emphatic return to Melbourne Park.
“Very positive result for me,“ the 28-year-old told reporters.
“Always before the first match you always have the doubts, especially in this situation I‘m arriving here.
“Every match is very important for me today. (It) was a comfortable victory that give me some confidence.“
