Roger Federer has continued the longest first-round winning streak in tennis, easing past Slovenian Aljaz Bedene to make it 19 successive tournament-opening wins at the Australian Open.
The world No.2 and title favourite went unbroken in his 6-3 6-4 6-3 win on Rod Laver Arena in just one hour and 39 minutes.
The reigning champion next faces German Jan-Lennard Struff in his quest to win his 20th major, and his sixth at Melbourne Park.
Federer was untroubled on Tuesday night, returning to the scene of his remarkable comeback win last year for the first time.
"I was thinking back a lot about what happened last year because it was my favourite tournament last year hands down," he said after the win.
"Walking out here ... being back here in Melbourne is an amazing feeling and hopefully I can keep it going a little bit longer."
His trickiest adversary might have been a cringe-worthy post-match engagement with actor Will Ferrell.
In his famous Anchorman persona of newsreader Ron Burgundy, Ferrell asked the 36-year-old if he felt like a young gazelle on court.
"Maybe. Maybe not. Don't they get eaten in the end?" Federer replied.
On Tuesday night, it was Bedene doing all the running.
The 28-year-old, who previously represented Great Britain before switching back to his country of birth this year, could only fashion two break point opportunities all night.
Ahead 2-1 in the second set, he had two chances to break the legendary Swiss at 15-40.
Federer replied with an unreturnable serve out wide and an outrageous down-the-line forehand to close the idea down.
Federer's net play was particularly strong, winning 26 points coming forward.
He hit 12 aces to deny Bedene a first win at Melbourne Park.
In losing, Bedene - the world No.51 - posted his sixth-straight first round Australian Open loss.
