Business As Usual As Federer Sweeps Past Santoro

Just another sunny day in Melbourne, just another imperious victory for Roger Federer. The reigning champion swept aside Fabrice Santoro 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 to book a place in the third round of the Australian Open.

Santoro - playing in a record 62nd grand slam - was a willing opponent but managed to hold out for just 81 minutes against Federer's withering array of ground strokes.

If it's any consolation for Federer's rivals, the Swiss made 18 unforced errors to Santoro's four, but then again, he also sent down 53 winners. Federer will face world No49 Janko Tipsarevic - a man known for his intellect - next. Tipsarevic might want to use those brains to start thinking up a plan - he'll need it.

"I practiced with him at the US Open," said Federer of Tipsarevic. "I really feel like he's hitting a good ball. He's good off both sides. He came through some tough matches. It's going to be interesting to see how the beginning of the match starts. It's going to be a dangerous match."

Tipsarevic advanced after beating No23 seed Fernando Verdasco 7-5, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-3).

Lleyton Hewitt overcame a lapse in concentration to beat world No216 Denis Istomin 7-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-1. The home crowd were anticipating a routine victory when the Australian served for the match at 5-4 in the third, but Istomin rattled off three games in a row to force the match into a fourth set.

Hewitt eventually wrapped up the match with ease, but admitted he had allowed his mind to wander. "It was just a little bit of a lack of concentration, late in the third set," said Hewitt. "But credit to him, he served well and played the big points well. He played a great match."

Hewitt will play the winner of the mouthwatering clash between Marat Safin and Marcos Baghdatis.

Elsewhere, third seed Novak Djokovic made short work of Simone Bolelli, winning 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 while the Czech Republic's Tomas Berdych overcame Spaniard Oscar Hernandez 6-2, 6-1, 6-3.

Argentina's 21st seed Juan Monaco beat American Amer Delic 6-3, 7-6, 5-7, 6-7 (10-8), 8-6 in a 251-minute marathon and Juan Carlos Ferrero downed Australian Alun Jones 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.