Defending champion Novak Djokovic and world number two Roger Federer advanced to the second round of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park.
The world number one, Djokovic, comfortably defeated Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-2, 6-4, 7-5 with an eye on a hat-trick of Australian Open titles.
"Hello, everybody, it's great to be back," he said after winning his 15th straight match in the year's first grand slam tournament. "I have great memories.... Twelve months ago, played a six-hour final. Thanks for coming and supporting me."
If Djokovic manages to win the tournament, then he will make a place in history, becoming the first man to win three consecutive Australian Open titles in the Open era.
"Any achievement, especially if it's part of history, would mean a lot to me," Djokovic said. "I love this sport. This sport has been my life since I was 4 years old."
Second seed, Federer, who is in a quest for his 18th grand slam title, also stormed into the second round of the Australian Open by thrashing France's Benoit Paire 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 in straight sets.
Federer took a 4-2 lead against the Frenchman after breaking his service in the first set. He again broke his opponent's service early in the second set. Paire could not present any resistance to his great opponent and Federer defeated him in only 83 minutes with a forehand shot.
Now, Federer will face the winner of qualifier Dudi Sela of Israel or Russia's Nikolay Davydenko in the next round.
Earlier, Andy Murray had no problems, breezing through to the second round with a 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 win over Robin Haase.
"It was a good start, nice to win in straight sets," the world number three said. "It was the hottest day we've had for a while so the court was playing much quicker."
The kind of fan following Djokovic enjoys at Melbourne Park makes him one of the most popular tennis players in Australia.
Thousands tennis fans were present to watch and support him at the Rod Laver Arena, but only a couple of hundred witnessed David Ferrer's comprehensive victory over Olivier Rochus of Belgium with 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.
"Of course, Novak, Roger and Rafael (Nadal) and (Andy) Murray -- they've won Grand Slams. It's very difficult for (another) player to win the first Grand Slam of his career. For me, I am trying to do my best."
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