AUSTRALIAN OPEN Venue: Melbourne Park Date: 19 January-1 February Coverage: BBC Red Button, BBC One & Two (including all Andy Murray matches), Radio 5 Live sports extra, BBC Sport website (Red Button coverage streamed on website throughout fortnight)
Federer is a three-time Australian Open champion
World number two Roger Federer kicked off his Australian Open campaign with a 6-1 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 victory over Italy's Andreas Seppi.
Switzerland's Federer wrapped up the first set in 24 minutes but was unconvincing thereafter, being forced to save a set point in the second set.
Reigning champion Novak Djokovic began his title defence with a 6-2 6-3 7-5 victory over Andrea Stoppini of Italy.
Three-time semi-finalist Andy Roddick beat Bjorn Rehnquist 6-0 6-2 6-2.
Federer, a three-time winner in Melbourne, was in imperious form as he took the opening set against Seppi, who had lost all three of his previous matches against the Swiss without winning a set.
But the second seed lost his way and had Seppi taken advantage of any of his 10 break points, Federer might have been held up longer than the two hours 20 minutes it took him to prevail.
"I had to get used to playing at night again and I struggled with my rhythm early on in the match but all-in-all I thought it was a good match," he said.
"It was a close match. I had to battle hard. I had to run a lot and put in a defensive effort in the rallies. It's hard to find a weak spot in Seppi's game, forehand or backhand. He makes you run a lot."
The 27-year-old, chasing a record-equalling 14th Grand Slam title, will now play Russia's Evgeny Korolev, who beat veteran Carlos Moya in straight sets.
My results last year, especially in Slams, don't warrant me being talked about
Andy Roddick
Former champion Marat Safin, a possible third-round opponent for Federer, destroyed Ivan Navarro of Spain 6-3 6-3 6-4.
Earlier in the day, Djokovic managed to get through his first-round match in under two hours in sweltering conditions, rallying from 4-0 down in the third set.
The Serb is yet to hit top form this year after switching racquets in pre-season.
"I had a real slow start but my motivation keeps me going," said Djokovic.
"As the defending champion you arrive with pressure but I managed to get my concentration together and win in straight sets.
"I have never been in the position to defend a Grand Slam title so for me it's a new experience but a big challenge and hopefully I can repeat the success."
Third seed Djokovic will play Jeremy Chardy in round three after the Frenchman beat Marcos Daniel 6-4 6-4 6-1.
American Roddick faced no break points as he came through in one hour 45 minutes against his Swedish opponent.
The seventh seed will play Xavier Malisse in round two after the Belgian beat Michael Llodra 7-6 (10-8) 6-1 6-1.
"My results last year, especially in Slams, don't warrant me being talked about," said Roddick.
"The thing about sports is no one really remembers yesterday, and that's fair. You have to go out and prove yourself on a daily basis. I have no problem with that.
"Xavier is tough. He won pretty handily today. He's got matches behind him. I think everyone knows he's extremely capable when healthy. So I'll have to be ready."
Eighth seed Juan Martin del Potro stayed on track for a quarter-final meeting with Federer with a 6-3 6-4 6-2 win over Germany's Mischa Zverev.
David Ferrer, seeded 11, was taken to five sets by Denis Gremelmayr of Germany but battled to a 6-1 6-7 (6-8) 6-1 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 triumph.
Marcos Baghdatis claimed his first victory in three meetings with Julien Benneteau and the 2006 runner-up will now play 16th seed Robin Soderling, who ousted Robert Kendrick in four sets.
And 16-year-old Australian Bernard Tomic achieved his first-ever Tour level win, beating Potito Starace 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (8-6).
Tomic, at 16 years and 89 days old, is the youngest man to win a match at the Australian Open beating the record set by Todd Woodbridge in 1988.
The first seed to fall on the men's side of the draw was Feliciano Lopez of Spain. The number 27 seed was beaten 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 4-6 16-14 by Luxembourg's Gilles Muller.
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