A refreshed Roger Federer’s clinical demolition of Jarkko Nieminen in his first match of 2014 suggested he could be a factor in the first major of the year.

His debut appearance at the Brisbane International yesterday was rapturously greeted by tournament organisers and fans alike, but following his first year without a grand slam final appearance since 2002 it was not certain what stage of decline the Swiss ace was in.

A 6-4 6-2 victory over his tough Finnish opponent hinted that he was ready to put on a competitive showing at Melbourne Park, now relieved of the back problems that dogged his 2013 campaign and contributed to his second and fourth-round exits at Wimbledon and the US Open.

“I’m actually very clear in my mind,” Federer told reporters.

“Now it’s just down to forehands and backhands and tactics and movement. That’s kind of what you want it to be, because unfortunately it hasn’t always been that way last year with my issues.”

The scoreline flattered Federer in some ways. Both men eked out four break points over the two sets and Nieminen fought on level terms at the baseline, hitting eye-catching forehand winners throughout.

Federer’s mastery of the pivotal points of the match showed the steel behind the game’s most graceful player remained firmly in place and his preference for playing new tournaments is far from a retirement tour.

For the crucial break of the first set he came from 0-40 down in the fifth game and then saved a break point on his own serve to build a two-game cushion.

“I expect myself to play a bit better in the next match, even though today was already very good,” Federer said.

The 17-times grand slam champion next meets Australian Marinko Matosevic, who beat Sam Querrey 5-7 7-6 6-4 in an entertaining match.

Fifth seed Gregor Dimitrov was beaten in straight sets 7-5 7-5 by Marin Cilic and number two seed Japan’s Kei Nishikori had no problem easing past Australia’s Matthew Ebden 6-2 6-4.

Women’s number two seed Victoria Azarenka easily defeated home favourite Casey Dellacqua 6-3 6-1 and will play Stefanie Voegele next after the Swiss player was handed a last-eight berth following the withdrawal of Sabine Lisicki.

Qatar Open: Second round – Mayer bt Murray 3-6 6-4 6-2; Nadal bt Kamke 6-3 6-7 6-3.

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