Ivanovic powers through

Ivanovic, the third seed, turned in a dazzling display in her first night match at a grand slam tournament to overcome the Italian 6-0 6-3 before a crowd of more than 18,000 in Melbourne.

The opening set lasted little more than 20 minutes as 20-year-old Ivanovic ran her more experienced opponent ragged in reeling off the opening 10 games of the match and although Garbin forced Ivanovic to up a gear in the second set but the Serbian, who equals her best result at the year's opening major by advancing to the third round, had all the answers.

The Italian did keep her sense of humour in adversity, though, raising her arms in triumph when she finally got on the board by breaking Ivanovic in the second set's fifth game.

Ivanovic had a couple of late jitters, requiring six match points to shake off the world number 40, but the result was not in doubt.

She clinched the win with an ace, much to the delight of the large Serbian contingent in the crowd.

The victorious Ivanovic said the 'home' crowd had played a key role in calming her nerves.

"Definitely I'm very happy, obviously," said Ivanovic, who also has family in the city.

"I was a little bit nervous going onto the (court) - first-time night session grand slam.

"It was also a little bit windy in the beginning. But I tried to focus, moving my feet, getting around the ball and just committing to my shots. So I was really happy the way I started and also the way I handled the match. I'm pleased with my performance."