Djokovic, Federer win at Aussie Open

MELBOURNE, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- Defending champion Novak Djokovic and former champion Roger Federer won their opening-round matches Monday at the Australian Open.

Djokovic, seeded third, defeated Italian qualifier Andrea Stoppini 6-2, 6-3, 7-5.

"It was a bit of a slow start," said Djokovic. "I was a break down in two sets, managed to come back, which is important. But try to look at it as a positive thing, it's a first-round match. Usually you try to get used to it a little bit, and hopefully the next round will be better."

Federer, seeded second, ousted Italian Andreas Seppi 6-1, 7-6 (7-4), 7-5 in 2 hours, 21 minutes.

Federer's next opponent is 20-year-old Russian Evgeny Korolev, while Djokovic will play France's Jeremy Chardy.

Seventh-seeded American Andy Roddick, meanwhile, ripped Swede Bjorn Rehnquist 6-0, 6-2, 6-2. Roddick recorded nine aces and took advantage of 37 unforced errors by Rehnquist.

Roddick will face Belgian Xavier Malisse, a three-set winner over Frenchman Michael Llodra, 7-6 (10-8), 6-1, 6-1.

Other Top-10 winners included eighth-seeded Argentine Juan Martin del Potro, 10th-seeded Argentine David Nalbandian, 11th-seeded Spaniard David Ferrer, 15th-seeded Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka and 16th-seeded Swede Robin Soderling.

The first round wraps up Tuesday with matches that include world No. 1 superstar Rafael Nadal facing Belgian Christophe Rochus.