Australian Open: Federer makes winning return at Melbourne Park, Wawrinka survives a scare

Roger Federer made a winning return to competitive tennis after six months out of the game on Monday, thrilling a packed Rod Laver Arena as he beat qualifier Juergen Melzer 7-5 3-6 6-2 6-2 to reach the Australian Open second round. However, his Swiss compatriot Stan Wawrinka survived a scare from Slovakia's Martin Klizan.

Federer had to battle hard throughout the two-hour, six minute contest and only really eased clear of his dogged opponent when the Austrian tired in the final set.

Federer could be forgiven a little rustiness after his prolonged absence to nurse a knee injury and made 36 unforced errors but there were also plenty of reminders of the brilliant skills that have won him 17 grand slam titles, four at Melbourne Park.

Seeded 17th, Federer has much tougher battles ahead if he makes it through to the second week of the tournament but will next pit his skills against American qualifier Noah Rubin.

Wawrinka fought back from a break down in the final set to move into the second round with a 4-6 6-4 7-5 4-6 6-4 victory.

It took the world number four more than three hours to knock out his opponent to cries of "Allez Stan" from the crowd after he had struggled early on to cope with Klizan's signature delicate drop shots.

Wawrinka, a three-times grand slam champion, gradually found the range on his lethal forehand, however, and he has never lost in the Australian Open first round in 12 visits to Melbourne Park.

He will face American Steve Johnson in the second round after the world number 30 beat Argentina's Frederico Delbonis 6-3 6-4 6-4.