Roger Federer showed no signs of rust on his way to dismantling Benoit Paire in the first round of the Australian Open.
The Swiss master was at his best, despite not playing a single warm-up event prior to the year's first Grand Slam, easing through with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 win over his French opponent in just one hour and 23 minutes.
"Benoit's a good player, a good talent," the world number two said after the match. "I haven't played a match this season yet.
"You're not sure (how you're going to play) and that's why you're relieved when you get through the first one."
Paire was thought to provide Federer with a stern opening round test, but the ageless Federer was rarely troubled by the Frenchman.
The 31-year-old was his usual dominant self, piling on 25 winners, with his service game, particularly looking strong. Federer is bidding to become only the second player to win at least five Australian Open titles, joining the legendary Roy Emerson, who has six.
Federer said he had taken time off from tennis, before the leading up to the Australian Open, to spend time with his family.
"I've had a few busy years since I had kids," he said. "I just wanted to cool down a bit. It's nice to enjoy the off season. I hope it's the right decision, we'll see how it goes. I'm confident in my play.
"It's been very relaxing, the last few one and a half months. I arrived really early, two, three days earlier than in the past, which has been quite nice.
"I purposely didn't play a lead-up tournament so that I'd be fresh for the beginning, hopefully going deep into the tournament. That's the goal, obviously."
In other matches, crowd pleaser Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France had no problems entering the second round, getting the better of compatriot Michael Llodra 6-4, 7-5, 6-2.
Dark horse Juan Martin Del Potro also breezed into the next round with a 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 win over Adrian Mannarino.
Talented youngster Milos Raonic, seeded 13, came from a set down to beat Czech Jan Hajek 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 7-6 (0).
