BBC Sport – Top seed Roger Federer eased into the third round of the Australian Open with a 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 dismantling of Victor Hanescu on Rod Laver Arena.

Federer, a three-time champion, hit 52 winners and was not broken once by his Romanian opponent.

Novak Djokovic, the 2008 champion, was well below his best as he beat Marco Chiudinelli in four sets.

The Serb, 22, dropped the first set and rarely impressed despite recovering to win 3-6, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3.

Federer had been below his best in his opening match against Igor Andreev, when he dropped a set in the first round at a major for the first time in six years.

But he settled quickly against Hanescu, reeling off 20 winners in an opening set that lasted just 34 minutes.

The second set was captured in 33 minutes, despite Hanescu managing to nick three games, with the Swiss continuing to pepper the lines with winners.

Federer had already raced into a 3-0 lead in the third set when Prince William arrived, to the applause of the near-capacity 14 000 crowd, just an hour and 15 minutes after the start of the game.

Federer said: “I knew the danger of Victor. He is a good player although maybe he is more accustomed to clay. I am just thrilled to be through.

“This one tonight was obviously extremely special. It’s a pleasure, of course, playing in front of him (Prince William).

“From what I’ve heard, I think he met Serena (Williams) and myself, and came to watch my match.

“He said he was happy that I played a little bit longer, because the match could have ended even shorter. So it was nice.”

Federer next faces Albert Montanes of Spain, whom he has beaten in both previous meetings.

Sixth seed Nikolay Davydenko maintained his fine form with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 thrashing of Ukraine’s Illya Marchenko, while ninth seed Fernando Verdasco advanced to the third round with a 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 win over Ivan Sergeyev of Ukraine.

Tenth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who lost the 2008 final to Djokovic, beat American Taylor Dent 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.

Djokovic goes on to face Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan after the world number 103 beat Germany’s Michael Berrer 7-5, 6-3, 6-4.

“I was frustrated, especially at the start of the match, because he was really giving it to me,” Djokovic said of facing Chiudinelli.

“He was very aggressive and stepping in and using every opportunity that had been given to him.

“I automatically just became too defensive and didn’t really make too much, just waiting for his mistakes.”

Davydenko took his winning streak to 11 matches as he gave further evidence that he is ready to win a first Grand Slam title.

“I know I’m very good player,” he said. “If I feel good, for sure I can beat everyone, but not every day you can feel good. I hope I can feel every day good here in Australia.”

The Russian will next face Argentina’s 30th seed Juan Monaco, who fought back to beat Michael Llodra of France 3-6, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1, 6-3.

Marcos Baghdatis, the 2006 finalist, staged a remarkable comeback on a raucous Hisense Arena, overcoming cramp in the closing stages to beat 17th seed David Ferrer of Spain, 4-6, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3, 6-1.

The Cypriot will next play local favourite Lleyton Hewitt, who defeated American Donald Young 7-6 (7-3), 6-4, 6-1.

Hewitt and Baghdatis’s last meeting at the Australian Open was another third round encounter in 2008, a five-set marathon that did not finish until 0434 local time – the tournament’s latest ever finish.

Hewitt said: “I know what to expect. He’s in good form and hitting the ball extremely clean. He’s going to be feeling confident after winning (the Sydney International) last week.”

German 18th seed Tommy Haas also needed five sets against Janko Tipsarevic, coming through 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 to set up a clash with Tsonga.