Tennis: Champ shows Aussie Open contenders how it's done

Roger FEDERER made swift progress into the second round of the Australian Open today with a routine victory over Slovakia's Lukas Lacko.

The world No.?2 and defending champion at Melbourne Park barely broke sweat in a 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 win.

Lacko was simply outclassed by the 16-time major champion, who showed glimpses of brilliance to thrill a crowd on Rod Laver Arena who may otherwise have felt short-changed to have seen the day session wrapped up in under five and a half hours.

"I thought I played great," he said afterwards.

"I thought it was a good match. I don't think he played too bad himself. I saw some talent in him and that's why I was really happy I chose the tactic early on to pressure him."

Sixth seed Andy Roddick enjoyed an equally emphatic start, beating Jan Hajek 6-1, 6-2, 6-2, while Gael Monfils staged an astonishing recovery from two sets and 5-2 down to overcome Holland's Thiemo De Bakker.

Mardy Fish was another seed to hit back from a seemingly desperate position, the American overcoming Victor Hanescu 2-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-3.

There were two notable upsets early on day one with 18th seed Sam Querrey and 23rd seed Nikolay Davydenko both going out. Querrey fell in a marathon five-set contest against Lukasz Kubot while former world No.?3 Davydenko was ousted by Florian Mayer 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4.

Women's World No.?1 Caroline Wozniacki, pictured left, survived a tricky opening assignment before overcoming Gisela Dulko.

Dane Wozniacki was pushed all the way by Dulko, who tops the doubles rankings, before securing a 6-3, 6-4 win on Rod Laver Arena.

Wozniacki, who is chasing her first grand slam title, followed three-time major winner Maria Sharapova on to court, the Russian opening proceedings with a straightforward victory over Thailand's Tamarine Tanasugarn. Sharapova, seeded 14, won 6-1, 6-3.

Two other contenders advanced early on day one albeit in contrasting ways.

French Open champion Francesca Schiavone was made to struggle by Arantxa Parra Santonja before advancing 6-7 (4/7), 6-2, 6-4 while Li Na, a semi-finalist here last year, beat Sofia Arvidsson 6-1, 7-5. Venus Williams progressed, beating Sara Errani of Italy, 6-3, 6-2 despite 18 unforced errors.