World No.3 Grigor Dimitrov has strolled into the second round of the Australian Open with a straight-sets win over qualifier Dennis Novak.

A semi-finalist last year and searching for his maiden grand slam title, Dimitrov made short work of the Austrian on Monday, advancing 6-3 6-2 6-1.

Aware of the bigger challenges that lay ahead, the 26-year-old Bulgarian said he wanted to get the job done quickly on Novak, who was making his grand slam debut.

“The weather was a bit tricky with the wind so I was trying to be compact and focused and use any opportunity I have and save energy,” Dimitrov said.

Looking to build on an impressive end to 2017 when he claimed the ATP Tour Finals title in London, Dimitrov said he wasn’t looking too far ahead.

“I’m taking it match by match and this is the next step,” he said.

“All I can do is give 100 per cent.”