Federer marks return with 4-set victory at Australian Open

Welcome back, Rog.

Roger Federer made his return to tour-level tennis on Monday, competing for the first time in six months and seeing off Austrian Jurgen Melzer at Rod Laver Arena in Australian Open first-round play.

After a shaky start, the 17th-seeded Federer took the match in four sets, 7-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.

The opening two stanzas were a lesson in variation, with the 17-time slam winner falling behind 4-2 before taking four of the next five games, including the last eight points in the first set.

With Federer appearing understandably rusty, the second set was a contrast of the first, with Melzer fighting back from a 0-2 hole to take seven of the nine games and the set.

Full credit to the Austrian left-hander for his efforts, though it wasn't to be, as Federer displayed his pedigree in the final two sets to pull away under the floodlights in Melbourne.

The 35-year-old four-time Aussie champ broke Melzer's serve in the fourth to clinch the match on the heels of a knee injury that put a serious dent in the Swiss legend's hopes of an 18th slam.

Federer will now face American youngster Noah Rubin, with the winner staring down a potential third-round date with fifth-seeded Kei Nishikori.