Federer breezes past Johnson in Melbourne to win 2020 debut

Coming into the Australian Open, Roger Federer was one of the few names of note opting not to play an ATP event ahead of the year’s first major. Throughout the past week in Melbourne, the 38-year-old appeared relaxed at the Rally for Relief exhibition, in press and was even caught on a behind-the-scenes camera playing hide and seek with his team.

Federer’s calm demeanor was evident in his opening match on Monday, as he comfortably kicked off his 2020 season with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Steve Johnson after 81 minutes. The American had pushed Federer to a pair of tiebreakers in their lone previous hard-court meeting three years ago at Indian Wells, but was outclassed by the six-time event champion in every way on Rod Laver Arena.

"I think for me really the first three rounds are key to get going, to get used to the pressure, stay calm, when to save break point or 30-All points or whatever it may be or just to stay calm if you're down a set and a break or whatever it might be. This is sort of the unknown that can be a little bit scary at times," Federer said in press.

"But today there was none of that because I broke early each set and was able to get on a roll, play freely after that. And also felt I had margin. You know, anything I was doing I felt like I had the game under control."

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The roof closing due to rain after five games only played into Federer’s strengths. Crisp execution enabled him to pressure his opponent on return, resulting in five breaks of serve. Federer brought offense to the table too, firing 11 aces and bringing himself forward 32 times to a 72 percent success rate.

"I trained really hard, like I always do. I'm just so happy I didn't have any setbacks. That sets you up really nicely for the season," Federer told Jim Courier on-court afterwards. "I'm happy I played well. In practice I felt good, so I'm happy it showed on the court as well."

A six-time champion at the Happy Slam, a title would seed Federer become the oldest men’s major winner in the Open era and tie Novak Djokovic’s record of seven trophies. The Swiss improved to 98-14 at the event and is looking to reach at least the semifinal stage for the 15th time in 17 appearances. It was twenty years ago when he upset Michael Chang in his main draw debut.