Roger Federer maintained his undefeated record against Mikhail Youzhny to move into the second round of the Dubai Tennis Championships on Monday.

Federer, a six-time winner in Dubai, needed just 56 minutes to come through 6-3 6-1 in his first match since exiting the Australian Open at the third-round stage.

The 17-time grand slam champion showed little signs of rust following his break, knocking down eight aces in a repeat of the 2007 final between the two to progress in straightforward fashion.

"I think it was close in that first set," Federer said. "I think we were both trying to find our range.

"I'm happy I didn't start to play too careful after it, because it is tough to play here in Dubai with the quick conditions.

"After that, I think I started to return much better. Serve got a bit more consistent. My half volleys were getting better. I was able to get the set and the break, and then that's when you can bring it home."

The man who knocked out Federer in Melbourne succumbed to an early exit, though, with Andreas Seppi losing 6-4 6-7 (1-7) 6-4 to Richard Gasquet.

Seppi saved two match points at 5-4 down in the second set before forcing a decider with a dominant display in the resulting tie-break, but threw away a 4-2 lead in the third as Gasquet produced a timely surge to come through.

World number 14 Ernests Gulbis' 2015 drought continued as he suffered a surprise 7-5 6-2 loss to Denis Istomin.

Defeat leaves the Latvian - who led 4-1 in the first set - without a win in 2015, and Gulbis admitted he is nowhere near his best.

"I'm not in good form right now," Gulbis said. "I'm not feeling my shots at all. I have no timing. In practice I have been playing worse than in the match."

Elsewhere in the draw, Joao Sousa beat James McGee and Andrey Golubev overcame Fabrice Martin.