Favorites fare well in Australia

MELBOURNE, Australia – Roger Federer made it look difficult for a change, starting his bid for a 10th Grand Slam championship and successful Australian Open title defense by dropping serve three times in the first set.

But the top-ranked Federer rebounded quickly after Bjorn Phau took a 5-3 lead, winning the next nine games – conceding only six points in the second set.

The Swiss star went on to win 7-5, 6-0, 6-4, easily dispatching the 27-year-old German who beat him seven years ago in their only previous match.

Earlier, Andy Roddick overcame a shaky start against French wild-card Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, wasting four set points in the opening tiebreaker and rallying from 2-5 in the second set to win 6-7 (18), 7-6 (2), 6-3, 6-3.

“I think I got a little first-round jitters,” Roddick said. “I played better as the match went on. I hope I can get better in the second round.”

Women’s champion Amelie Mauresmo was first up on Rod Laver Arena and started her title defense with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Shenay Perry.

Seventh-seeded Elena Dementieva of Russia advanced with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Stephanie Foretz of France. Also advancing were No. 16 Shahar Peer, No. 20 Tatiana Golovin and No. 26 Maria Kirilenko.

On the men’s side, Mario Ancic and Richard Gasquet were among the other men’s seeded players advancing.

American Amer Delic beat Frenchman Gilles Simon 6-3, 6-0, 6-2, making the second round for the third time in four trips to the majors.

Spaniards Juan Carlos Ferrero and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez progressed to the second round after playing five games between them.

Rafael Nadal, who has spent a record 78 weeks at No. 2, opens Tuesday against Robert Kendrick.