Roger Federer of Switzerland holds up the champion trophy after winning his final match against James Blake of the Unites States at the Tennis Masters Cup Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006 at Qizhong Stadium in Shanghai, China. Federer defeated Blake 6-0, 6-3, 6-4. (Xinhua Photo)

World No. 1 and defending champion Roger Federer and the sixth seed Andy Roddick on Wednesday advanced into the third round of the Australian Open men's singles in Melbourne, Australia's second largest city.

Federer, who is chasing a third Australian Open crown following triumphs in 2004 as well as last year.

The Swiss did not encounter too much resistance from his opponent, Swedish veteran Jonas Bjorkman, before earning a comfortable victory of 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 victory in just one hour, 34 minutes.

The nine-times grand slam winner will play Russia's 2006 U.S. Open semi-finalist Mikhail Youzhny on Friday for a place in the last 16.

Later Roddick downed young Frenchman Marc Gicquel 6-3, 7-6, 6-4 in an easier match than his in the first round Monday when the former U.S. Open champion had a much tough time before winning 6-7(18-20), 7-6 (7-2), 6-3, 6-3 over French wildcard Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

The American is likely to play with former Australian Open champion Marat Safin, who plays Israeli Dudi Sela later Wednesday.

Editor: Donald