Intro:

Former champions Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova cruised to the second round of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Monday.

Script:

Roger Federer cruised into the second round of the Australian Open on Monday.

The four-time champion overcame Yen-Hsun Lu of Taiwan in straight sets.

The victory - career number 1001 for Federer.

SOUNDBITE: Roger Federer, second seed

"I'm very pleased to make this one here tonight. You know, winning first round, it's always a bit of a relief. I thought I played good. So it was nice to get 1001 here now tonight. We're not going to talk about this every single match now, right? "

The Swiss master is chasing an 18th Grand Slam title in Melbourne.

He'll face Italy's Simone Bolelli in the next round.

Another former champion also got off to a flying start - second seed Maria Sharapova.

The Russian took on Croatia's Petra Martic and claimed the first set by breaking serve in the tenth game and then swept through the second, closing out a 6-4, 6-1 win.

SOUNDBITE: Maria Sharapova, second seed

"When you come here everything is new and fresh. Of course, it's a nice feeling to have that victory, but you have to start from scratch."

The reigning French Open champion will face compatriot Alexandra Panova in round two.