Roger Federer fired up the Australian Open with a blistering start to his title defense yesterday at the unseasonably cool Melbourne Park.

Federer retained his trademark bandana even though the ease of his 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 victory over Slovakian Lukas Lacko and the cool afternoon air made the threat of sweat interfering with his vision slight.

Federer taking risks meant a treat for the crowd, who witnessed some brilliant shot-making from the 16-time grand slam champion. It was hard to believe that the Swiss maestro's backhand was once considered a weakness in his game as he stroked impossible looking winners off it from the back of the court to set up a second round meeting with Frenchman Gilles Simon.

Venus Williams, the women's fourth seed, made a winning return after four months out injured with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Sara Errani of Italy.

Justine Henin survived a tricky encounter against big-hitting Indian Sania Mirza to go through 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 despite 33 unforced errors.

Another two women hoping to contend, top seed Caroline Wozniacki and former champion Maria Sharapova, won the first two matches on centre court. Dane Wozniacki claimed a hard-fought 6-3, 6-4 win over Argentine Gisela Dulko, while Sharapova overcame a nervy start to beat Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-1, 6-3 for her first Australian Open victory since she won her last major title here in 2008.

Plenty of grit

French Open champion Francesca Schiavone also showed plenty of grit as she came back from a set down to win her opening encounter against Spain's Arantxa Parra Santonja 6-7, 6-2, 6-4.

Last year's semifinalist Li Na of China had a 6-1, 7-5 win over Sweden's Sofia Arvidsson.

Among the men, American 18th seed Sam Querrey was the first seeded player to fall and he took his time doing it, losing 5-7, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 8-6 to Pole Lukasz Kubot over three hours and 20 minutes.

Russian 23rd seed Nikolay Davydenko, three times quarterfinalist here, also made an early departure with a 6-3, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 defeat at the hands of German Florian Mayer.

Andy Roddick gave a forceful reminder that he once won a grand slam - in 2003 - with a 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 rout of Czech Jan Hajek, firing down 18 aces but bemoaning the conditions.

Frenchman Gael Monfils staged a remarkable comeback from two sets and a break down to beat his Dutch opponent Thiemo De Bakker 6-7, 2-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-1.