Federer breezes through first round

The 36-year-old Swiss turned the evening clash on Rod Laver Arena into an exhibition as he breezed past Bedene with consummate ease 6-3 6-4 6-3. A single break in each set was enough for Federer who looked in total control from beginning to end. 

The world number two, bidding for a 20th Grand Slam title after claiming his 18th here last year and 19th at Wimbledon, broke Bedene’s serve in the fourth game of the first set in which he conceded only three points on his serve. 

Federer pounced immediately at the start of the second to gain another break and cantered through the rest of the match against a player who he had never played before. 

Earlier, Maria Sharapova’s previous match at the Australian Open sent her career spiralling to the darkest of depths but she returned in bright sunshine on Tuesday with a performance that went some way to banishing those demons. The 30-year-old former champion was in dominant mood as she beat Tatjana Maria 6-1 6-4.