Roger Federer [ Images ] showed that time was still on his side as the Swiss master rang the closing bell on Monday's opening day at the US Open [ Images ] tennis championship with a quick victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Third seed Federer, who turned 30 earlier this month, completed a clockwork 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 win over 56th-ranked Colombian Santiago Giraldo, 24, to the delight of the Flushing Meadows night crowd.

The 106-minute sweep was the first step in Federer's quest to add to his Grand Slam record of 16 men's singles titles with a sixth US Open crown.

A sixth title in New York would also break his tie with Jimmy Connors and Pete Sampras [ Images ] for most since tennis turned professional in 1968.

Federer next plays Israeli Dudi Sela [ Images ], who battled back from two sets down to beat Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil [ Images ].