WILLIAMS

MELBOURNE (Reuters)

Roger Federer and Amelie Mauresmo led a parade of champions into the second round of the Australian Open yesterday, while police ejected about 150 tennis fans from the grounds after Croatian and Serbian fans clashed.

Fighting flared for the first time at a grand slam event after spectators exchanged insults during the match between Croatian Mario Ancic and Japan's Go Soeda. Police said no arrests were made.

"They were mostly Serbians ejected as they were upsetting the Croatians," Victoria state police spokeswoman Katherine Jess said. "Police are now meeting with Tennis Australia officials to work out the next move."

The clashes failed to over-shadow the on court action on the opening day of the Open, with Croatian fourth seed Ivan Ljubicic becoming the most notable casualty.

Battering

Ljubicic's 4-6, 7-6, 6-4, 6-4, battering by Mardy Fish was his second successive opening-round flop in grand slams.

Mauresmo was the first to take centre stage in her defence of the women's crown, brandishing winners from all angles to consign American Shenay Perry to a 6-3, 6-4 defeat.

Men's champion Federer overcame a wobbly first set before gliding to a 7-5, 6-0, 6-4, victory over Bjorn Phau as he began his pursuit of a 10th grand slam title.

They were joined in the last 64 by former winners Serena Williams and Thomas Johansson, with 2005 champion Marat Safin completing the party.

Former world number one Serena Williams crushed Italian 27th seed Mara Santangelo 6-2, 6-1.

Williams, winner here in 2003 and 2005, looked rusty at the start of the match but was far too strong for Santangelo, taking the first set in 33 minutes with a few trademark booming winners from the back of the court.

"I can definitely win a third title... I'm not going to sit here and say no," said Williams, who is returning after a four-month injury layoff.

"I'm definitely looking at working my way back more than anything. I feel I have nothing to lose and the only way I can go is up."