World number one Novak Djokovic looked in ominous form during his comfortable 7-6 (10-8) 6-3 6-4 victory over Fernando Verdasco at the Australian Open.
Four-time champion Djokovic survived an hour-long first set before making light work of the 2009 semi-finalist on Rod Laver Arena.
The Serb - who is yet to drop a set in Melbourne - was aided by an error-riddled performance from Verdasco but, once over a first-set scare, appeared somewhere approaching his brilliant best.
The players could not be separated in the opening set, with the first six games evenly split, despite 13 unforced errors from Verdasco.
Djokovic had the chance to claim the break for a 4-3 lead, but wasted both opportunities.
The same thing happened in the ninth game after Djokovic was presented with two break points but failed to convert neither.
A tie-break was needed to split the duo and after dominating the early exchanges – leading 5-3 - a double fault from Verdasco gave Djokovic an avenue back into the contest.
And on set point number four, Djokovic finally wrapped up the tie-break following a third consecutive unforced error from Verdasco, who sent another backhand wide.
From then on, Djokovic stepped on the gas - racing into a 3-0 lead in the second before eventually taking it 6-3.
It was more of the same in the third set, with Djokovic's serve continuing to do the damage.
Djokovic posted an 82 per cent success rate on his first serve throughout - his best ever match record at the Australian Open - and eased through after claiming a break in game five of the third set.