Defending champion, Roger Federer cruised to a first up victory at the Australian Open after beating Briton Aljaz Bedene 6-3 6-4 6-3.
The Swiss will join former champions Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka in the second round and will face Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff next.
American comedian Will Ferrell interviewed Federer post-match saying he had played like a silky gazelle.
“You seem like a gazelle out there in the court. Would you describe your game a silky gazelle? Maybe, maybe not, don’t they get eaten in the end? Roger I know how much the crowd means to you. They are an amazing crowd but does it gets annoying when they scream come on Roger! Over and over again? They remind me of my name. At an older age when you start forgetting your name sometimes, it’s great.”
Federer is seeded second behind Rafael Nadal, whom he beat in last year’s final and he is seen as the man to beat this year.
Six-time Australian Open champion Novac Djokovic beat American Donald Young to reach the second round for a 12th consecutive year.
The 30-year-old, seeded 14th after missing the second half of 2017 with an elbow injury, won 6-1 6-2 6-4.
Meanwhile, world number one Simona Halep overcame an ankle injury to move on to the next round after a 7-6(5) 6-1 victory over Australian teenager Destanee Aiava.
