Grigor Dimitrov makes light work of Dustin Brown

Grigor Dimitrov has recorded a quick-fire victory over Dustin Brown to progress through to the second round of the Australian Open.

© AFP

The Bulgarian has been placed into the half of the draw containing Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray, but his 6-2 6-3 6-2 dissection of Brown sent out a message to his rivals.

The 10th seed, who reached the last eight in Melbourne last year, started strongly as he twice broke Brown's serve to coast into a set advantage on Court 2.

Brown, who currently sits at world number 90 in the ATP standings, improved at the start of the second, but Dimitrov broke in the eighth game to move a step closer to the second round.

The 23-year-old sensed victory, and after breaking Brown in the fifth and seventh games of the third set, he served out the match to wrap up victory in 69 minutes.

Dimitrov will now play either Maximo Gonzalez or Lukas Lacko in the last 64.