17th seed Gaël Monfils cruised through to the second round of the Australian Open seeing off Federico Coria 6-1, 6-1, 6-3.
The Argentine was no match for the former world number six who goes on to face Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik, who beat America’s Ernesto Escobedo in four sets.
Monfils started the match quickly taking the opening game in just 42 seconds.
Coria held his opening service game before a hold of serve and a double break allowed Monfils to serve out the opening set 6-1.
The second set was almost a carbon copy of the first. Coria began well with a comfortable hold of serve but then it was all Monfils.
The Frenchman delivered a strong hold to love, before three breaks of serve gave him the second set by the same scoreline.
Coria, the younger brother of 2004 French Open finalist Guillermo Coria, improved in the third set, going toe-to-toe with the Frenchman at two games all.
However, Monfils quickly turned the screw to hold serve and a backhand long from the Argentine gifted the Frenchman a critical break.
Monfils never looked back and saw out the match to cement a 15th Australian Open second round appearance.
After winning the title in Adelaide, the 35-year-old was forced to withdraw from its second version of the event last week due to a neck injury, but was quick to play down the issue.
“I’m feeling great. Great match. I think I played very solid tennis. Can’t complain when you start a slam like that,” said Monfils.
“I was just worried about my neck because I blocked my neck last week. Obviously, it’s better and today was good. I’m happy.”
The world number 19 continued: “I’m just happy to have another opportunity to win another match and maybe go to another third round in the Australian Open.”
Today’s performance was even more spectacular following a recent interview where the Frenchman admitted to having doubts about his future in the sport.
He credited his wife and fellow player Elina Svitolina in helping him persist.
“I want to thank my wife, Elina. “It was a really tough last year for me, almost wanting to quit,” he said. “I lost the faith a little bit for tennis but she was there and always caring.”
