Wimbledon: Speedy Federer spares no time to consider taking it easy

The seven-time champion was never in danger as he completed a 6-1 6-3 6-3 first-round victory.

Federer needed little over an hour on Centre Court to get his campaign off to a strong start.

He was later asked about the familiar experience of playing on the main show court and whether he can sympathise with an opponent rather than be ruthless.

He said: “It’s where you want to play so I’m more focused on what I’m trying to do, trying to win the match.

“Back in the day maybe I would not be as ruthless [as yesterday]. But now it’s trying to focus on what I need to do.

“The score, it is what it is. I don’t think it really matters at the end of the day what the scoreline is. For me, it’s about playing the tournament, the ball that’s coming from my opponent.”

On the prospect of going easy on an opponent, he added: “I can’t mentally go there like that, can’t really play tennis like that, unless it’s like your best friend or your brother, whatever it is.

“I’ve had that in some instances, but not against Dzumhur, who I barely know, to be honest.”

Reigning women’s champion Petra Kvitova began the defence of her Wimbledon title in emphatic style as she thrashed Holland’s Kiki Bertens in straight sets.

Kvitova lost just one point on her serve during the contest, which came with a double fault in the final game, as she beat Bertens 6-1 6-0 in 35 minutes.

It was the Czech’s first competitive match on grass this season, but she showed few signs of rust on Centre Court and will face either Japan’s Kurumi Nara or Poland’s Magda Linette in round two.

Kvitova has endured early exits at both the Australian and French Open this year but the 6ft left-hander is more comfortable on grass and on this evidence can be a major contender to claim a third title at SW19.

The first break for Kvitova came in the second game and while Bertens got off the mark to make it 3-1, a thundering forehand gave the number two seed a second break and she served out the first set in just 18 minutes.

Bertens was simply unable to cope with the power and angle of her opponent’s serve and the second set was even more comfortable as Kvitova closed out an easy win.

Rafael Nadal has vowed to be ready for a Wimbledon showdown with a dreadlocked German who has already taught him a lesson on grass.

There were no nasty first-round surprises for Nadal, Federer or Andy Murray yesterday as the three star names in the bottom half of the men’s draw made progress in straight sets.

Lying in wait for Spaniard Nadal next tomorrow though will be Dustin Brown, a tricksy player he knows can cause him trouble on grass, because Brown beat him last June in Halle, Germany.

“It is difficult to think about how the match is going to be. He’s not a usual player. Anything can happen,” said Nadal, a 6-4 6-2 6-4 winner on Court One against Brazilian Thomas Bellucci.

“He beat me last year in Halle. It is a dangerous match. He’s a tough player. He won [yesterday] against a good opponent in Lu (Yen-hsun).

“He will probably come with good confidence.

“I’m going to try to be ready for it.”