Australian Open: Federer Struggles; Serena is fighting

PST MELBOURNE, Australia -- Serena Williams was more subdued in her first Grand Slam match since her outburst at the U.S. Open.

The top-ranked player started the defense of her Australian Open title with a 6-2, 6-1 win against 18-year-old Urszula Radwanska today.

Williams also lost only three games in her previous match at Melbourne Park: a 6-0, 6-3 win over now-No. 2 Dinara Safina in last year's final.

"It's such a great experience coming back, especially with my last moment out here holding up the trophy," she said. "It's one of my favorite Slams. I tend to do really well here."

The 28-year-old American hurt her left knee at the Sydney International on Friday and later said she has been bothered by a foot problem.

Williams played with her right thigh heavily wrapped with a white bandage today, but said it was more for a precaution against injury than anything else. It didn't seem to restrict her movement.

Her sister, Venus Williams, played later against Lucie Safarova of Czech Republic.

On the men's side, Roger Federer struggled in beginning his bid for a 16th major title by dropping the first set to Igor Andreev 4-6, then took the next three sets, 6-2, 7-6 (2), 6-0.

Federer had a few anxious moments, losing the first set after having his service broken in the ninth game, then having to save three set points in the 12th game of third set before winning the tiebreaker and dominating the fourth set.

Sixth-seeded Nikolay Davydenko had a 6-1, 6-0, 6-3 win over Dieter Kindlmann of Germany, advancing with No. 12 Gael Monfils of France, No. 19 Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland and No. 21 Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic.

Americans James Blake and John Isner reached the second round. Blake had a 7-5, 7-5, 6-2 win over Frenchman Arnaud Clement. Isner held off Andreas Seppi of Italy 6-3, 6-3, 3-6, 5-7, 6-4.

Ana Ivanovic, who reached the Australian Open final and won the French Open in 2008, opened with a 6-2, 6-3 win over American Shenay Perry in the first match to finish today.

The rain that allowed only 26 of the scheduled 64 matches to be completed on the opening day had held off early on Day 2.

Elsewhere, No. 8 Jelena Jankovic, No. 11 Marion Bartoli, No. 13 Sam Stosur and No. 19 Nadia Petrova advanced along with No. 26 Aravane Rezai.

Rafael Nadal, U.S. Open champ Juan Martin del Potro, No. 5 Andy Murray and No. 7 Andy Roddick were among the men who advanced Monday.

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