Ivan Ljubicic was the first big-name casualty on the opening day of the Australian Open in Melbourne after succumbing to industrious American Mardy Fish, but there were no such problems for defending champion Roger Federer who comfortably moved into the second round.
Although well-poised after taking the opening set, fourth seed Ljubcic began to struggle in the second set and eventually found his opponent's sizzling array of shots too hot to handle as Fish triumphed 4-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 6-4.
Federer, meanwhile, cast aside last week's disappointing loss to Andy Roddick at the AAMI Classic by breezing to victory early in the day against German Bjorn Phau.
Despite struggling with his service game initially, it did not take long for the top seed and world number one to overcome his rival 7-5 6-0 6-4.
Afterwards Federer commended his opponent for a solid performance.
''There were more breaks than the usual straight sets. You know, that's for sure,' he said.
'More up and downs, but I thought I played okay at times. You know, he played well.
'The times when I got broken, maybe I missed a few, but I think he came up with some good shots, good returns.'
Although Federer admitted his performance had not been entirely clinical, he said he was pleased just to have progressed.
'I'm happy I'm through because it looked like it was definitely going to head for a first-set loss but I came through. That's the most important (thing),' he added.
'I think the level is okay. You know, I think it could definitely be much better, but that's how I always feel after a first round usually. Sometimes I get good ones, but this one was okay.'
Meanwhile, sixth seed Roddick was forced to shirk off an early challenge from big-serving Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga before he moved through to the second round.
After losing the first set 18-20 in a gruelling tiebreaker, the highly-favoured American regained his stellar touch to seal victory 6-7 (18-20) 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 6-3.
In the late game in the Rod Laver Arena crowd favourite and former Australian Open champion Marat Safin received a scare from Benjamin Becker, with the number 26 seed taken to five sets by the feisty German before pulling out a 5-7 7-6 (7-2) 3-6 6-3 6-4 win.
'He has a lot of respect from the players and he is a very tough opponent. I think we had a great match, he was up two sets to won and had his opportunities, but I guess I have a little bit more experience,' Safin said.
In a centre court match between two previous Australian Open finalists, Marcos Baghdatis also emerged victorious over Rainer Schuettler.
Cantering out to a 6-4 lead, last year's finalist overcame a brief fightback from the German on his way to a 2-6 6-3 6-2 win.
Earlier in the day Richard Gasquet broke his three-time losing streak at Melbourne Park with a scintillating straight sets victory over Filippo Volandri.
Heading into the Grand Slam as the 18th seed, Gasquet needed little time to seal the match 6-4 6-4 6-2.
Proven Spaniard Tommy Robredo, the defeated finalist in last week's Heineken Open in Auckland, easily accounted for compatriot Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo in straight sets, while big-serving Croat Mario Ancic also breezed through with a 6-4 6-3 6-2 win over Japan's Go Soeda.
Rising French star Gael Monfils booked a day three clash with Baghdatis after overcoming Italian Daniele Bracciali in four sets.
Racing into a one-set lead, the Frenchman lost his way momentarily and allowed Bracciali back into the contest.
But, quickly recovering, Monfils sealed the match with a 6-4 win in the fourth set, backed up by a 7-6 (7-5) effort to close out proceedings.
Last year's US Open semi-finalist Mikhail Youzhny easily accounted for Czech Jan Hernych in straight sets, while 22nd seed Dominik Hrbaty took four sets to end Jiri Vanek's run.
