First victim in the road to glory - world number 47 Taipei's Yen-Hsun Lu, a consistent performer over the years, but hardly a threat to a player already with the Brisbane title to his name in 2015.
Struggling through his first two first service games including saving break points, Lu still reached 2-2 with a far more comfortable Federer whose serve, backhand and crisp volleying sounded alarm bells from the very start.
The fifth game was where Roger decided to open wide the cracks that were subtly appearing in the Lu game. He broke serve to love, and consolidated with another typical service exhibition to delight the crowd. 4-2 and no doubt where this set was heading.
Despite some improved shot making from Lu, one could sense that second seed Federer was not as concerned about breaking serve again, certain in his own ability to hold his own with ease, which he continued to do. He was almost experimenting at times while receiving serve, trying shots and tactics usually reserved for practice sessions.
The set was won 6-4 and the second set began statistically the same as the first with the first 4 games shared, still with the Swiss star achieving his in almost effortless fashion. Again, the fifth game was pivotal and once more Lu surrendered to the Federer plan, broken to trail 2-3. The volleying in particular was sharp and decisive tonight, something that would be needed later in the tournament when the tougher opponents unleash their weapons.
Federer swiftly made it 4-2 and for good measure broke in the seventh game, destroying any last gasp of hope for the unfortunate Lu. Even with a double fault and break point down while serving for the set, Federer sidestepped that minor obstacle to gain a 6-4 6-2 lead.
The third set was for the best part a legitimate contest, where Lu raised the level of his tennis and Federer continued to play very well, albeit throwing in some rare mistakes to allow Lu some equally rare opportunities. Games travelled with serve and Federer held with ease for the most part, except for early when Lu missed the chance to lead 2-0 after earning a break point.
At 5-5 Lu was given the lesson that so many opponents have received from Federer in the past decade - an even set of tennis was turned on its head in the blink of an eye with a break of serve to love and a change of ends before the second seed served out the match with class and brilliance
6-4 6-2 7-5 and Roger Federer announced his intentions for the next fortnight.
Struggling through his first two first service games including saving break points, Lu still reached 2-2 with a far more comfortable Federer whose serve, backhand and crisp volleying sounded alarm bells from the very start.
The fifth game was where Roger decided to open wide the cracks that were subtly appearing in the Lu game. He broke serve to love, and consolidated with another typical service exhibition to delight the crowd. 4-2 and no doubt where this set was heading.
Despite some improved shot making from Lu, one could sense that second seed Federer was not as concerned about breaking serve again, certain in his own ability to hold his own with ease, which he continued to do. He was almost experimenting at times while receiving serve, trying shots and tactics usually reserved for practice sessions.
The set was won 6-4 and the second set began statistically the same as the first with the first 4 games shared, still with the Swiss star achieving his in almost effortless fashion. Again, the fifth game was pivotal and once more Lu surrendered to the Federer plan, broken to trail 2-3. The volleying in particular was sharp and decisive tonight, something that would be needed later in the tournament when the tougher opponents unleash their weapons.
Federer swiftly made it 4-2 and for good measure broke in the seventh game, destroying any last gasp of hope for the unfortunate Lu. Even with a double fault and break point down while serving for the set, Federer sidestepped that minor obstacle to gain a 6-4 6-2 lead.
The third set was for the best part a legitimate contest, where Lu raised the level of his tennis and Federer continued to play very well, albeit throwing in some rare mistakes to allow Lu some equally rare opportunities. Games travelled with serve and Federer held with ease for the most part, except for early when Lu missed the chance to lead 2-0 after earning a break point.
At 5-5 Lu was given the lesson that so many opponents have received from Federer in the past decade - an even set of tennis was turned on its head in the blink of an eye with a break of serve to love and a change of ends before the second seed served out the match with class and brilliance
6-4 6-2 7-5 and Roger Federer announced his intentions for the next fortnight.
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