“I think everybody was expecting him to do [admit to using performance-enhancing drugs],” the World No. 1 said. “I mean, it would be ridiculous for him to decline and refuse all the charges because it has been proven. They have like a thousand proofs that he’s positive. I think it’s a disgrace for the sport to have an athlete like this.”

“He cheated the sport. He cheated many people around the world with his career, with his life story. I think they should take all his titles away because it’s not fair towards any sportsman, any athlete. It’s just not the way to be successful. So I think he should suffer for his lies all these years.”

Djokovic expressed confidence in tennis’s anti-doping program.

“In tennis, at least from my perspective, it’s really good. Anti-doping regulations a little bit maybe more strict in sense that you have to fill the whereabouts documents and you have to basically give an hour or two in every day of your life in a whole year, where you are.”

“But on the other hand, it gives them an opportunity to test you. And you know it is the same for the other players. At least from that point of view it’s fair. And I have nothing against, you know, the anti-doping federation, association, testing me 10, 20, 30 times a year.”

“As long as it’s fair, it’s clean, we’re trying to protect the identity of this sport. I believe tennis players are one of the most cleanest athletes in the world and one of the most competitive sports. So as long as we keep it that way, I have no complaints about testing. I think as long as I know as many numbers of testing for the other players, I’ll be happy.”

But Djokovic also said he hadn’t been given a blood test in six or seven months.

“I wasn’t tested with blood for last six, seven months. It was more regularly in last two, three years ago. I don’t know the reason why they stopped it.”

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The World No. 2 broke Paire six times, and saved all three break points he faced. He hit 25 winner and 18 unforced errors.

“I’m obviously very happy with this first round match,” Federer said. “He can be a tricky opponent, you know, but I guess his playing style doesn’t disturb me that much overall. I’m happy I was able to play a clean match out there today.”

Andy Murray also opened with a routine win over Robin Haase, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3, striking 25 winners and 20 unforced errors.

“I started the year well in Brisbane, but obviously coming into the slams the first match is normally pretty tough, Murray said. “You know, there’s nerves in the buildup. You’ve just got to try and focus and play solid, you know, not make too many silly mistakes. I did a good job of that today. It’s always nice to get through the first round of any tournament, but especially here.”

Gael Monfils, Bernard Tomic, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Juan Martin del Potro, Marin Cilic, Milos Raonic, and Nikolay Davydenko also advanced.

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“It was a good performance for a first round,” Djokovic said. “You know, I felt I was in control of the match in the opening two sets. Then, you know, he started playing better, striking the ball quite well from both sides on the baseline. I thought he was serving really precisely and really well.”

“It was tough to break. But in the end, that 11th game, I made some good shots, good points, you know, managed to go through straight sets.”

Tomas Berdych won in convincing fashion, 6-3, 7-5, 6-3, over Michael Russell. Nicolas Almagro was taken to five sets by American Steve Johnson, winning 7-5, 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-7(6), 6-2. Fernando Verdasco beat David Goffin in five, 6-3, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Mikhail Youzhny, Andrey Kuznetsov, Carlos Berlocq, Kei Nishikori, Stan Wawrinka, Jurgen Melzer, Ryan Harrison, Somdev Devvarman, Julien Benneteau, and Brian Baker also advanced.

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“It’s tough to feel completely satisfied,” Sharapova said. “You always want to improve on things and work on certain things that you feel will help you in the later rounds certainly towards the end of the second week. But overall I was happy with the way I started, considering I didn’t play any matches coming in.”

Venus Williams earned a quick 6-1, 6-0 win over Galina Voskoboeva, while Sam Stosur ended a five match losing streak on Aussie soil, beating Kai-Chen Chang, 7-6(3), 6-3.

“Obviously I feel very happy, a little bit relieved, and, yeah, just nice to get through that first round finally,” Stosur said. “You know, from here hopefully I can loosen up a little bit and keep playing better and better.”

“No matter how good or bad you play, a win always makes you feel better. I definitely feel like I improved throughout the last couple of weeks coming into this match. Obviously it’s hard to necessarily, you know, prove that when you’re not winning those matches. But I did feel better, and I think that showed today.”

Dominika Cibulkova won in three sets against 16-year-old Aussie Ashleigh Barty. Agnieszka Radwanska, Julia Goerges, Angelique Kerber, Jelena Jankovic, and Marion Bartoli also advanced to the second round.

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It was Vesnina’s play on big points and her return game that sealed the victory for the Russian. In breaking Barthel’s serve four times, she won an impressive 40% of Barthel’s first serve points, and 60% of Barthel’s second serve points.

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Saving six break points and multiple set points, Tomic took the first set in a tense tiebreak, 12-10. He struggled with dizziness during the set, and called out the trainer. But it didn’t deter the Aussie, as he took care of Seppi in straights, facing no more break points for the remainder of the match.

He will face Kevin Anderson in the final, who beat Julien Benneteau in the other Sydney semifinal.

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“I am extremely disappointed to announce that I have to withdraw from the Australian Open,” Isner said in a statement. “I have been feeling some discomfort in my knee and have recently learned that I have a bone bruise. Doctors have told me that continuing to play on the knee could result in a more serious injury.”

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Isner is just 2-6 since the US Open.

Aussie Bernard Tomic rolled through his match against World No. 28 Florian Mayer, 6-7(4), 6-2, striking 14 aces, 34 winners, and just 16 unforced errors.

“[Mayer's] one player I don’t like playing,” Tomic said. “For me he was a very difficult opponent the last few years that I faced. I’m just happy I won. I was confident playing him. I played well.”

The Aussie said he’d worked a great deal on his serve during the offseason.

“The serve is really my key where I’ve changed everything probably the last few weeks, as well as my attitude. I hit a lot serves, a lot of specific target practice on the serve. You know, it requires a lot of work. It’s really boring to just sit out there and just serve and serve. It’s a very strange task. But I put a lot hours into that serve, and now players are finding it difficult. I’m happy the way I’m serving today in particular and over the past week.”

Denis Istomin, Kevin Anderson, Marcel Granollers, Andreas Seppi, and Jarkko Nieminen all earned second round wins, while Julien Benneteau advanced with a walkover from Radek Stepanek.

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Tomic served well throughout the match, facing only one break point, which he saved. He punished Matosevic’s second serve, winning 59% of those points.

“I thought it was a decent level match,” Matosevic said. “All credit to him. He was too good,”

Tomic’s win marked the first time he’s beaten a higher-ranked opponent since the 2012 Australian Open. Tomic will face World No. 28 Florian Mayer next.

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Top-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska prevailed 6-4, 6-3 over Kimiko Date-Krumm, while Li Na beat Ayumi Morita in easy fashion, 6-0, 6-1. Sara Errani beat Maria Kirilenko 6-1, 6-1.

Angelique Kerber won over Galina Voskoboeva, 6-2, 7-5, coming back from 2-5 down in the second set.

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