Federer eases into second round

Defending champion and second seed Roger Federer coasted into the second round of the Australian Open with a 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 win over Lukas Lacko of Slovakia on Monday.

It was a sublime performance from the four-time champion, breaking Lacko's serve seven times in his straight sets victory in 1hr 24min.

Federer hit 37 winners and just 18 unforced errors to dominate his opening match on Rod Laver Arena and he bids to defend the title he won in last year's final against Andy Murray.

The Swiss maestro is bidding to become only the second man to win five Australian Open titles behind Australian Roy Emerson's six. He said he was not upset at trailing in the rankings to Spanish rival Rafael Nadal.

"(Rank) one and two are both very good. One is better than two but they still put me on Rod Laver Arena, so I'm not complaining at all," Federer said, referring to the Australian Open's centre court.

Federer is the all-time Grand Slam leader with 16 titles and is playing in his 45th straight Grand Slam tournament.

Federer was never in danger of losing in the first round in his 12 Australian Open appearances and is due to next play either Sydney International winner Gilles Simon of France or Taiwan's Lu Yen-Hsun.

"I'm really enjoying myself, playing extremely well at the moment and the last six months have been fantastic," he said." I'm very happy how things are going and I will see how far I can go in the tournament."

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