Roger Federer faultless in Melbourne

Roger Federer has dispatched Benoit Paire 6-2 6-4 6-1 in the first round of the Australian Open.

The Swiss was in imperious form from the off, breaking immediately to establish his superiority early on.

Another break at 4-2 then allowed him to serve out for the first set, which he did with little trouble.

A poor service game from Paire at 2-1 in the second set opened the door for Federer. The second seed needed no invitation to capitalise, as his trademark one-handed backhand fizzed past Paire at the net.

That was all the 31-year-old needed as he held serve for a two-set lead.

Federer steamrollered Paire in the final set, breaking twice to race into a 4-0 lead before Paire could muster a game.