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Roger Federer took the first step towards equalling Pete Sampras’ Grand Slam-winning record, beating off defiant Italian Andreas Seppi on Monday to march into the second round of the Australian Open.
Chasing his fourth Open and a record-equalling 14th Grand Slam title, Federer beat world No.34 Seppi 6-1 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 in two hours, 21 minutes at Rod Laver Arena.
Seppi was stoic and troubled the Swiss at times, but Federer’s ability to capitalise on the big points while his opponent couldn’t proved the difference.
The Italian had 10 break points for the match, and failed to convert any.
Federer came into the tournament in the unusual position of being No.2 seed – Spaniard Rafael Nadal having pinched his world No.1 crown last year.
After breezing through the first set in 24 minutes, Federer was then pushed to hour-long second and third sets before eventually closing out the match.
He will now play Russian qualifier Evgeny Korolev in the second round.
Federer said he was pleased to come through his opening round match against a tough opponent.
“Seppi hits a good ball – it’s tough to play against him,” Federer said.
“It’s sometimes hard to find a weak spot in Seppi’s game.
“It gave me a lot of confidence. It’s good to start off the tournament like this.”
Federer admits his match against Korolev, who upset experienced Spaniard Carlos Moya on Monday, provides a taste of the unknown against an opponent he’s never played.
“Of what I’ve seen, he’s aggressive off the baseline, he goes for the big shot. I have to be careful,” Federer said.
Should Federer emerge as expected, he faces a difficult half of the draw.
Russian Marat Safin and reigning champion Novak Djokovic are among his likely opponents as the tournament deepens.
How the seeds fared on day one of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park (prefix denotes seeding):
Men’s singles, round one:
2-Roger Federer (SUI) bt Andreas Sepi (ITA) 6-1 7-6 (7-4) 7-5.
3-Novak Djokovic (SRB) bt Andrea Stoppini (ITA) 6-2 6-3 7-5.
7-Andy Roddick (USA) bt Bjorn Rehnquist (SWE) 6-0 6-2 6-2.
8-Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) bt Mischa Zverev (GER) 6-3 6-4 6-2.
10-David Nalbandian (ARG) bt Marc Gicquel (FRA) 6-1 4-6 6-2 6-3.
11-David Ferrer (ESP) bt Denis Gremelmayr (GER) 6-1 6-7 (8-6) 6-1 6-7(7-4) 6-4.
15-Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) bt Ivo Minar (CZE) 6-1 2-6 7-5 7-6 (11-9).
16-Robin Soderling (SWE) bt Robert Kendrick (USA) 5-7 6-4 6-4 7-5.
19-Marin Cilic (CRO) bt Kevin Anderson (RSA) 6-3 6-2 6-7 (7-4) 6-3.
20-Tomas Berdych (CZE) bt Robby Ginepri (USA) 6-4 6-4 6-3.
21-Tommy Robredo (ESP) bt Bobby Reynolds (USA) 6-2 7-5 6-1.
23-Mardy Fish (USA) bt Sam Groth (AUS) 6-7 (7-3) 6-4 7-5 6-0.
26-Marat Safin (RUS) bt Ivan Navarro (ESP) 6-3 6-3 6-4.
27-Feliciano Lopez (ESP) lost to Gilles Muller (LUX) bt 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 4-6 16-14.
28-Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) bt Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) 6-2 4-1 ret.
32-Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) bt Sam Querrey (USA) 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 6-2.Women’s singles, round one:
1-Jelena Jankovic (SRB) bt Yvonne Meusburger (AUT) 6-1 6-3.
3-Dinara Safina (RUS) bt Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS) 6-3 6-4.
5-Ana Ivanovic (SRB) bt Julia Gorges (GER) 7-5 6-3.
7-Vera Zvonareva (RUS) bt Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) 7-6 (7-2) 6-0.
10-Nadia Petrova (RUS) bt Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) 6-3 7-6 (7-3).
11-Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) bt Shahar Peer (ISR) 6-3 6-2.
15-Alize Cornet (FRA) bt Mariya Koryttseva (UKR) 6-3 6-4.
16-Marion Bartoli (FRA) bt Melanie South (GBR) 6-2 6-4.
17-Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) bt Anne Keothavong (GBR) 6-1 6-7 (7-4) 6-1.
19-Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) bt Casey Dellacqua (AUS) 7-6 (13-11) 6-4.
23-Agnes Szavay (HUN) lost to Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ) 6-3 3-6 6-4.
24-Sybille Bammer (AUT) lost to Lucie Safarova (CZE) 6-3 6-1.
25-Kaia Kanepi (EST) bt Kimiko Date Krumm (JPN) 6-4 4-6 8-6.
26-Ai Sugiyama (JPN) bt Q-Stephanie Dubois (CAN) 6-0 7-6 (7-5).
27-Maria Kirilenko (RUS) lost to Sara Errani (ITA) 6-0 6-4.
29-Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) bt Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) 7-5 7-5.
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