MELBOURNE, Australia (AP):

Roger Federer took the first step towards his record-tying 14th Grand Slam title with a 6-1, 7-6 (4), 7-5 victory yesterday over Andreas Seppi at the Australian Open.

Federer, seeking to match Pete Sampras' mark, was at his best on the big points on the opening day when most favourites avoided upsets. However, it was not easy for even the top players.

"He is a very tough customer, he played really well," Federer said of the 35th-ranked Seppi. "I think I played well too. I had to."

Serbia's Ana Ivanovic, the women's runner-up last year, had 10 mistakes in the first five games but managed to advance with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over 107th-ranked Julia Goerges, who was even more erratic.

Top-seeded Jelena Jankovic, short on practice after illness hampered preparations for her pursuit of a first Grand Slam title, had 27 winners to four for No. 104 Yvonne Meusburger in winning 6-1, 6-3.

The other Serbian star, defending men's champion Novak Djokovic, started strong then had to rally from service breaks in the last two sets - he was down 4-0 in the third - to oust Andrea Stoppini 6-2, 6-3, 7-5.

Seventh-seeded Andy Roddick opened with a straight sets win over Bjorn Rehnquist, with fellow American Mary Fish also winning against Samuel Gorth. Six other Americans made first-round exits: Robby Ginepri, John Isner, Robert Kendrick, Bobby Reynolds, Taylor Dent and Sam Querry.

Top-ranked Rafael Nadal has his first match today when both Serena and Venus Williams also will be in action.

Second-ranked Federer is a huge fan favourite here and Rod Laver Arena was still packed when he went on court at 10 p.m. under perfect conditions. Camera flashes went off every time he hit a shot.

Titles

"Whose house? Roger's house!" one fan roared.

Federer, who has won three titles here, was clearly focused on proving that fan right, and he said he's feeling more confident than before the US Open last year when he claimed his last Grand Slam trophy.

The Swiss star fended off all 10 of Seppi's break points. He had one stretch in the first set that had the fans gasping and left Seppi with a look that said: "What can I do?"

Ivanovic had her share of glitches while facing Goerges for the first time, with the midday sun playing havoc with every serve toss at one end of the court. It didn't help that the German player was going for winners.

Tournament

"I don't expect myself to step on the court and play perfect tennis from very first moment," said Ivanovic, who was ousted in the third round at Wimbledon and in the second at the US Open. "You just want to give yourself the best possible chance and give time to work yourself into the tournament."

Jankovic had more trouble with the broiling daytime sun - temperatures reached 97 - than Meusburger. The surface was so hot that Jankovic iced the soles of her shoes during changeovers.

"My feet were burning," said Jankovic, who didn't know what to expect after her recent illness-enforced layoff.

Roddick was happy to be first up in Rod Laver Arena. He sped off in less than two hours, taking advantage of 31-year-old Swedish qualifier Rehnquist, whose style played right into the Roddick's strengths. Roddick, looking sharp and trim, committed just 10 unforced errors in the 6-0, 6-2, 6-2 win.