Switzerland’s Roger Federer returns to Austria’s Jurgen Melzer during Day One of the Australian Open at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne yesterday. Federer won 7-5, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2. Pic/AFP

Melbourne: Roger Federer's long-awaited return from injury could hardly have gone better as the 17-time grand slam champion beat Austria's Jurgen Melzer in the Australian Open first round.