The Swiss world-beater improved his season mark to 29-1.

Federer suffered one of his four defeats last season in Monaco, losing the quarterfinals to Frenchman Richard Gasquet, who is not competing at this edition due to injury.

Djokivic won the second set and saved three match points before finally falling.

Federer, with four titles earned during the first three months of the campaign, is on a mission, with a career-first trophy at the French Open his over-riding goal.

With Australian coach Tony Roche watching, Federer demonstrated his trademark silky skills in the first and last set as he defeated Djokovic, at age 18 and ranked 67th, one of the rising young stars in the sport.

But his developing skills were no match for the master, who finally sealed victory in one hour, 49 minutes.

Federer joined third-seeded David Nalbandian in reaching the second round on opening day after the Argentine hammered Xavier Malisse 6-4, 6-4.

Nalbandian now stands 3-0 against the Belgian after the pair played at Wimbledon and the Australian Open.

Belgium's Kristof Vliegen eliminated the first seed of the week as he rallied past Finland's newly-crowned number 20 Jarkko Nieminen 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/5).

Nieminen, with the best-ever ranking for any player from his nation, was playing on clay for the first time in 2006 and was unable to cope as the challenger turned the tide.

A pair of Frenchman crashed out, with Belgian Olivier Rochus producing the day's major disappointment for fans with a win over Gael Monfils 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Czech Jan Hernych beat Julien Benneteau 7-6 (11/9), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), but home hope Michael Llodra managed victory as he defeated Serb Boris Pashanski 6-3, 6-0.

Britain's unseeded pair of experienced hands were due on court later, with Tim Henman facing Argentine Gaston Gaudio, the 2004 Roland Garros champion and Greg Rusedski aiming to win his first match in the principality as he faced another South American in Juan Chela.