World number one and top seed Roger Federer opened his title defense in flying style when the Swiss ace breezed to a 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Frenchman Fabrice Santoro in the opening round at the Australian Open in Melbourne Park on Monday.

The 23-year-old stretched his winning streak to 22 after he brushed aside the 49th ranked Santoro in one hour 34 minutes.

Federer is the hottest favorite in years to win the Australian Open coming off an exceptional year of three grand slam titles, a Tennis Masters Cup and a phenomenal 18-match unbeaten run against all other members of the top-ten.

Federer hasn't lost a match since falling to Czech Tomas Berdych in the second round of the Athens Olympics last August andcame into 2005 winning the Doha ATP tournament for his 14th consecutive final win.

"It was good, good start. I think the start of the match was important for me, you know. That set the tone for the rest and I never really gave him a chance to get back into the match," said Federer.

Federer steamed through the first set in 17 minutes and although the Frenchman, troubled by a stomach upset, battled harder in the second set, he again broke serve three times to storm to a two sets to love lead on the hour.

He fought off three break points in the opening game of the third set and broke Santoro in the fourth game to have the match at his mercy.

Federer broke Santoro's serve a total of seven times and servedat a high 60 percent. He claimed 54 outright winners to Santoro'snine.

"He's the best. He's much better than anyone on the tour, but maybe someone can beat him," 32-year-old Santoro said.

Santoro said he had a reaction to an anti-inflammatory pill he took late Sunday for a wrist injury to allow him to play the world's top player.

"I took one anti-inflammatory and I'm not used to taking this kind of stuff, so last night I was sick and I had a very bad stomach, had a tough night, but that's not an excuse," he said.

Federer will play Japanese qualifier Takao Suzuki, who defeatedAmerican Jan-Michael Gambill 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.

Source: Xinhua