Federer makes impressive start in U.S. Open

(CNN) -- Roger Federer, starting a Grand Slam as the ex-world number one, launched his bid for a fifth consecutive US Open title with an imposing 6-3 6-0 6-3 win over Maximo Gonzalez on Tuesday.

"It was a good match to start off with," Federer said. "I thought I served well and really moved good for the first round. I went on a good roll at one point there."

The top ranking passed from Federer to Rafael Nadal last week and the Swiss, who has dominated men's tennis for so long, came into this tournament in the unfamiliar role of second seed.

Flushing Meadows offers him the chance to revive a season which has yielded just two titles and in which he lost his Australian Open and Wimbledon crowns.

Gonzalez could not cope with Federer's 15 aces and 39 winners on the main Arthur Ashe Stadium court in front of a crowd of about 20,000.

Federer converted seven of 13 break point opportunities and won 73 percent of his first serves.

"This take a little bit of pressure off me because I know a little more about where my game is at," Federer said. "I have to play more aggressively on hardcourt."

In the second round Federer will meet Thiago Alves of Brazil.

"I don't know much about him. I only know what he looks like," Federer said of the Brazilian. "I watched him play a few points on TV today. I expect him to be a similar opponent who plays from the baseline."

Federer was delighted to pick up an Olympic gold medal in Beijing, where he and compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka triumphed in the doubles.

"The Olympic gold in doubles gave me a great lift," Federer said. "It really inspired me and I hope to use that to do well here.

"It is a special memory. It was unbelievable to listen to the national anthem and share that moment with my friend."

Another former world number one, Marat Safin, was fully extended by American Vince Spadea before winning 3-6 6-2 6-3 4-6 6-4 but German Tommy Haas ousted French 12th seed Richard Gasquet 6-7 6-4 5-7 7-5 6-2.

Safin was displeased at being foot-faulted on his second serve at deuce as he tried to stay in the fourth set.

The Russian was warned for swearing during an altercation with umpire Carlos Ramos and briefly refused to play on.

Spadea converted the set point to force a decider.

Safin controlled his emotions sufficiently to break in the first game of the fifth set, and he served superbly to wrap up victory.

But his anger was still evident at his post-match press conference.

"It's stupid rules that somebody made in 1850 and now they give me the problems with these things and it shouldn't be that way," he said.

"How can a guy see... a foot fault... with sunglasses from 35 meters away. It doesn't make any sense."

The unseeded 28-year-old will now play 15th seed Tommy Robredo, who beat German Mischa Zverev 7-6 6-2 6-1.

American Sam Querrey made a fine start to the tournament by routing 22nd seed Tomas Berdych 6-3 6-1 6-2.

Croatian Ivo Karlovic avoided a third consecutive Grand Slam first-round exit by defeating Jan Minar 7-5 6-1 6-4.

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