Australian Open 2017 Live Score and Match Updates, Federer wins first set against Melzer

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Updated: 16 January 2017 19:06 IST - Published: January, 16 2017 08:17 AM IST

Australian Open 2017: Roger Federer makes winning return, enters second round

He had a bit of a blip in the second set, but Roger Federer is through in style at the Australian Open!

Unfortunately for Melzer, that point ended with an unforced error on his part. After a bit of a shaky start, it's Federer who pulls that back to win!

Match point - and DONE! Roger Federer beats Jurgen Melzer 7-5, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.

Now only two points separate Roger Federer and his Round 2 match.

Scores are at Federer 7-5 3-6 6-2 5-2 Melzer.

And now a spin-heavy backhand goes to Melzer, who returns it -but just wide!

Some really special tennis off Federer's racquet today.He goes high for a jumping forehand shot and Melzer doesn't know what to do with it! Game Federer, who leads 4-1 in the second.

Federer's bringing out aces like he's playing poker today! After an aggressive push back from Melzer with some great forehand winners, Federer - who has nineteen aces so far - has Melzer's back to the wall. He leads 3-1.

Three aces from Roger Federer to start off the fourth set. Melzer's left completely flummoxed and swatting in the air for a shot that's already made it to the other end.

This has been Federer's best set so far. He now leads 7-5, 3-6, 6-2.

Melzer sends a forehand out wide, Federer's at break, and the agitated Austrian sends it WAY long. Second set Roger Federer, 6-2.

What a STUNNING down-the-line forehand from Roger Federer. Arguably the best point of the match from Roger Federer, who's leading 5 games to 2. Melzer serves to stay in the set.

Melzer is trailing a break now, and has just another couple of chances to get back into the set. Do you think he'll do it?

Federer leads 3-1 in the third set, but it's not been all smooth sailing for the Swiss. A couple of backhands have been a bit sloppy, but he takes it home in the end.

There's a half-chance for Federer there, and a couple of great shots see the Swiss do quite well. But Klizan hits back with an ace!

In case you didn't know: Melzer, like Federer is 35 - and had major surgery to his shoulder during the 2015-2016 season. He's recovering nicely!

Scores are level at 1 game all. Federer combats a good baseline shot from Melzer but sends it unfortunately right into the bottom of the net. Not the placement he was looking for..

Third set now underway and Federer holds to love for a wonderful start! He's looking athletic as ever, if a bit frustrated.

A 31-minute second set goes the way of Jurgen Melzer, 6-3. It's not as one-sided as it seems, though, with Federer hitting 5 aces. Not an ideal winners to unforced error ratio for the Swiss though, with 11:13.

Jurgen Melzer's taking control and how! Federer's playing a bit uncharacteristically here, netting some uncharacteristic ones.

He rushes the net to attempt the SABR, but Melzer anticipates it and Federer's return goes right into the top of the net.

Melzer leads 5-3.

News from elsewhere: After a 5-set struggle played over three and a half hours (whew!) Stan Wawrinka beats Martin Klizan 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.

The second set is now back on even ground.

Federer tries a long, heavy combination of shots to get through there, but nets it in the end. Melzer holds for 2-3, and now breaks Federer to level at 3 games all.

But Federer gets right back on that with a hold of serve. He's looking a bit tense now, but focused.

Credit to Jurgen Melzer - he has not looked tired just yet, although he's lost control a fair bit now. He manages to hold on to his service game for the first time in the second set to trail 1-3.

How exquisite is Federer's shot-making today? He goes with an inside-out forehand after a close rally to send off and seal his service game.

Federer leads 2-0, up a break of serve.

Second set underway,and Roger Federer has taken this to heart. He breaks - to love, no less, to start off the second set and take a 1-0 lead.

Roger Federer wins the first set 7-5.

Federer goes 10:10 in his winners:unforced errors ratio. Melzer not doing too well there, with 8:17.

Easy does it! Don't be caught napping or you'll have missed that absolutely lightning-fast game from Roger Federer. He holds to love for three set points and WINS the first set 7-5!

Federer breaks to love! Some brilliant athletic tennis from the Swiss gives him a 6-5 lead.

And Melzer is struggling to get his returns to Federer's volleys just right. As before, he nets that one. Roger Federer holds to love! He equalises at 5 games all.

Federer does a full-body stretch a jump and a return. And in all that, he's about to hold to love!

And there's a hold of serve from Melzer, who's putting his all into it! He leads 5-4.

And there's the crucial break back! After some back and forth and some scrappy tennis from both players, Federer engages Melzer in a quick rally. It ends with Melzer, who's trying to match Federer shot for shot, netting that forehand.

Federer breaks back and trails 3-4.

Melzer 4-3 *Federer (* indicates server)

There's an attempt at a backhand slash from Federer, but it lacks the punch he needed.Melzer returns that easily and it's way out of Federer's reach.

And Jurgen Melzer is playing some quality tennis. There's a great cross-court forehand angled ever so perfectly and just out of Federer's reach.

Jurgen Melzer* 4-2 Roger Federer, Melzer up a break of serve.

Federer runs away to deuce after Melzer nets a crucial couple of shots. A shot from Federer goes long, and the chair umpire asks to challenge. It's at game point too, with Melzer at the advantage. It's out. Point, and game Melzer. He leads 3-2 on serve.

Melzer is no slouch; for non-tennis enthusiasts, the Austrian is a former World No. 8 and has beaten Federer professionally before.

A close one right there! Melzer, who at 35 is the same age as Roger Federer, is active and running across court in great nick.

And Federer declares himself straightaway! Some exquisite backhands from the Swiss straight down the line and he almost holds to love. But it's not to be. 40-15, and he holds for 2 games all.

Melzer is playing a pretty good game here, but Federer's returning with consummate ease. Melzer goes up 2-1 on serve.

Two great shots and a bit of a miss from Roger Federer! But he's won his first service game and scores are level at 1-1.

Federer takes on Jurgen Melzer in Round 1 and it's Melzer who opens serve.

It's time for Roger Federer!!!

Stan Wawrinka, US Open 2016 champion, isn't having the dream run he'd have liked yet. After losing the first set, he wins the second 6-4, sees a scare from Klizan to win the third 7-5, and now Wawrinka will hope to seal it in the fourth. He's level at 3-3.

And Angelique Kerber beats Lesia Tsurenko 6-2, 5-7, 6-2.

After some really streaky play in the first two sets, Angelique Kerber bounces back in the third to take victory!

Lesia Tsurenko has never lost in 8 matches that she has taken to the third set. A worrying stat for Angelique Kerber.

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