Australian Open: Federer & Nadal start with first-round wins

Federer's victory over Alexander Kudryavtsev was his 60th at the Australian Open

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal eased to the second round of the Australian Open with routine straight set victories on the opening day.

Qualifier Alexander Kudryavtsev battled boldly against Federer in the opening set, but could not keep apace with the Swiss, who went on to win 7-5 6-2 6-2.

Nadal, wearing strapping on his knee, had little problem in disposing of Alex Kuznetsov 6-4 6-1 6-1.

Aussie Bernard Tomic came from two sets down to beat Fernando Verdasco.

Home favourite Tomic prevailed 4-6 6-7 (3-7) 6-4 6-2 7-5 against 22nd seed Fernando Verdasco of Spain after four hours and 11 minutes of gruelling tennis in sweltering conditions.

The teenager, who won the AAMI Kooyong Classic build-up event, described his match against the Spaniard as "torture" after being taken to five sets for only the third time.

But, with the help of a partisan crowd, he dug deep in the heat to take the match to a decider, finally breaking the weary Spaniard in the 11th game of the final set to serve for the match.

Tomic will play Sam Querrey in the second round after the American beat wild card Kenny de Schepper in straight sets.

Meanwhile, Nadal will face German Tommy Haas in the second round after coming through the first round unscathed to ease concerns over his bandaged right knee.

Ten-time grand slam champion Nadal wrapped up victory in just one hour and 46 minutes, with six breaks of his opponent's service. He also conceded only two break-point opportunities against the 167th-ranked American throughout the three sets.

Juan Martin del Potro powered back from a set down to beat Adrian Mannarino to maintain his record of never having lost an opening-round match in seven visits to Melbourne.

The 2009 US Open champion, seeded 11th, made a poor start but later showed signs of top form to win 2-6 6-1 7-5 6-4 and seal a meeting with Blaz Kavcic.

Elsewhere, Tomas Berdych, Mardy Fish and Nicolas Almagro also triumphed, while 18th seed Feliciano Lopez overcame Leonardo Mayer and next plays Flavio Cipolla of Italy, a five-set winner against former world number three Nikolay Davydenko.

Another upset saw Ivo Karlovic hit 24 aces en route to a 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 6-3 victory over 31st seed Jurgen Melzer.