The second seed from Switzerland was made to work by the unfancied world number 137, who allowed just four breaks of serve in the match, but the result was never in doubt as Federer cantered to a 6-3 7-5 6-4 triumph in two hours and 14 minutes.

Federer is seeking his fifth straight victory at Flushing Meadows and looked in imperious form at times, thumping down 19 aces and 54 winners to quell the early enthusiasm of his opponent.

Federer will meet either Chris Guccione of Australia or 28th-seeded Czech Radek Stepanek in the third round.

Meanwhile, Andy Murray and Ross Hutchins came unstuck in the second round of the men's doubles at the US Open when they were knocked out by top seeds Daniel Nestor of Canada and Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia.

The unseeded British pair had come back from a set down to level the match but with neither side able to break the deadlock it took a tiebreak to settle the match - Nestor and Zimonjic pulling through 7-5 3-6 7-6 (7-2) on court number six at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre in New York.