Eighth seed Janko Tipsarevic was made to work hard by hometown favourite Lleyton Hewitt but progressed in straight sets on day one of the Australian Open.

Hewitt pushed the Serb all the way in the first set, with Tipsarevic coming form 0-30 down at 6-6 to force a tense tie-break.

Tipsarevic took full advantage of being let off the hook, racing into a 4-0 lead in the breaker, before clinching a hard-fought opening set.

Hewitt showed his trademark battling qualities to break twice at the start of the second set as he raced into a 3-0 lead.

The Aussie could not sustain his assault as Tipsarevic responded in clinical style to edge another close set 7-5, much to the disappointment of a passionate home crowd.

Despite battling hard in the third Hewitt was once again punished on his second serve as the Serb hit a succession of baseline winners to claim an impressive straight-sets victory.