MELBOURNE, Australia(AP) Top-ranked Roger Federer had to struggle at times in his first-round match at the Australian Open before beating Russia's Igor Andreev 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (2), 6-0.
Federer had some anxious moments Tuesday, losing the first set after having his service broken in the ninth game, then having to save three set points in the 12th game of third set before winning it in a tiebreaker.
He dominated the fourth, ensuring there was no similar end to his previous match at Rod Laver Arena - he finished in tear's last year after losing the final to Rafael Nadal.
Serena Williams started the defense of her Australian Open title with a 6-2, 6-1 win over 18-year-old Polish player Urszula Radwanska.