The meeting ended with a score of 6: 3, 6: 4, 6: 4 in favor of the Swiss.
The match lasted 1 hour and 59 minutes. Istomin filed four times through and once made a mistake on the pitch. Federer completed 14 aces and made two double faults.
In the second round match, Federer will play against Briton Daniel Evans, who beat Japanese Tatsumu Ito - 7: 5, 6: 1, 7: 6.
Earlier it was reported that Andy Murray gave way to Roberto Bautista-Aguta and flew with the Australian Open.