World number two Novak Djokovic began his title defence at the Australian Open with an impressive straight-sets victory over Spaniard opponent Fernando Verdasco in the men's singles event here on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old Serbian avoided a potential first-round exit against Verdasco, who knocked out 14-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal in the opening round last year.
Djokovic defended brilliantly at a floodlit Rod Laver Arena to register a comfortable 6-1, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 win over his Spaniard opponent in the encounter that lasted two hours and 20 mins.
The former World number one will now take on either Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin or Croatia's Ivan Dodig in the second round of the first major of the season.