Defending champion Roger Federer is still on course to win a 6th men’s singles title at the Australian Open after posting a 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 win over Aljaz Bedene to storm into the second round and underline his status as title favourite.
Bedene, who has switched his allegiance back to Slovenia, played well but the result was never in doubt.
The second seeded Federer won in 99 minutes and will face Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff next.
He broke Bedene’s serve in the fourth game of the first set in which he conceded only three points on his serve.
Also making progress was six-time champion Novak Djokovic who eased to a 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 win over Donald Young in his first match back after six months out with injury.
Other winners on the day include former champion Stan Wawrinka, fourth seed Alexander Zverev, 13th seed Sam Querrey and Fernando Verdasco.
Action in the women’s draw saw Maria Sharapova powering her way into the second round with a straight-set (6-1, 6-4) win over Germany’s Tatjana Maria.
A result that sets up a clash with 14th seeded Latvian Anastasija Sevastova.
World number one Simona Halep advanced after beating teenage wildcard Destanee Aiava 7-6, (7-5) 6-1 while British number one Johanna Konta made swift progress with victory over American Madison Brengle.
Konta, seeded ninth, won 6-3 6-1 on the Hisense Arena, the third show court at Melbourne Park.