MELBOURNE - Defending champion Roger Federer led an express-speed charge of seeded players through the first round of the Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday, with Andre Agassi also making a confident start after an injury scare.
But former world No 1 and fifth seed Carlos Moya was a shock casualty
on the opening day, falling to little-known fellow Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.
Top-seed Federer raced past Frenchman Fabrice Santoro 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 in 94 minutes.
"I was nervous going into the match, but I started fantastic," the Swiss champion said. "I feel a bit sorry for Fabrice."
Four-times champion Agassi, the eighth seed, worked just a little harder as he accounted for German qualifier Dieter Kindlmann 6-4, 6-3, 6-0 in a display which helped ease concern about his hip injury.
"I just pushed through a bit of stiffness, and then I felt like it loosened up nicely and I was okay," he said.
Former women's champion Serena Williams and US Open winner Svetlana Kuznetsova matched Federer's no-nonsense approach.
Resplendent in a translucent white skirt and fluorescent green shoes and top, 2003 champion Williams dismissed France's Camille Pin 6-1, 6-1 in 57 minutes.
Occasionally rusty, seventh seed and bookmakers' favourite Williams doubled-faulted on the opening point of the match and dropped her serve twice against Pin but still had plenty in reserve.
"Physically I'm feeling very good," said the American.
Fifth-seed Kuznetsova spent even less time on court, storming past American qualifier Jessica Kirkland 6-1, 6-1 in 43 minutes.
While most seeds prospered, it was a fruitless day at the centenary Open for Moya, runner-up here in 1997.
The 1998 French Open champion was beaten 5-7, 3-6, 6-3, 3-6 by Garcia-Lopez, a qualifier who is playing only his third Grand Slam tournament.
Nothing went right for Moya. Federer, on the other hand, barely put a foot wrong.
Winner of three Grand Slams last year, Federer picked up where he left off as he blasted past the hapless Santoro.
Federer barely raised a sweat as he reeled off the first 12 points and then opened a 5-0 first-set lead in a mere 11 minutes.
Santoro, making his 13th appearance in Melbourne, complained of fatigue and an upset stomach, but it was unlikely he would have made much of an impact even if he had been fully fit.
The unseeded Frenchman meekly dropped his service for the seventh time to hand the match to Federer, who is bidding to become the first man since Pete Sampras in 1993-1994 to win three consecutive Grand Slam events.
Last year's Australian, Wimbledon and US Open champion was in prime form as he hammered 54 clean winners and raced around the court, showing the benefit of an extended stay in Australia.
Japan's Ai Sugiyama was the first seeded casualty when the No 16 was upset 5-7, 4-6 by Slovakian Martina Sucha.
Sugiyama was soon joined on the sidelines by 1995 champion and 24th seed Mary Pierce, who was beaten 2-6, 2-6 by fellow Frenchwoman Stephanie Cohen-Aloro.
- REUTERS
MELBOURNE - Defending champion Roger Federer led an express-speed charge of seeded players through the first round of the Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday, with Andre Agassi also making a confident start after an injury scare.
But former world No 1 and fifth seed Carlos Moya was a shock casualty
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