Roger Federer was untroubled by Dominik Hrbaty as he swept into the second round on the opening day of the championships.
Hrbaty poses few problems for Swiss ace
Roger Federer was untroubled by Dominik Hrbaty as he swept into the second round at Wimbledon.
The five-time champion, who is bidding for a sixth consecutive singles crown, completed a routine 6-3 6-2 6-2 victory over the experienced Slovakian on Centre Court.
The world number one was in fine form, reeling off the first 11 points of the match to send out a clear message to his doubters.
He broke Hrbaty's serve in the second game although the Slovak, who recently recovered from elbow surgery, produced the biggest cheer of the set when he pulled off a miraculous winner in the sixth game with a back-handed squash-type shot following a Federer lob.
Trademark
Hrbaty steadily improved with some impressive groundstrokes to show why he was once number 12 in the world but Federer claimed the first set 6-3 in just 25 minutes with a trademark powerful forehand.
Federer began to step through the gears in the second set against an opponent who has a protected ranking of 70 because of his recent injury lay-off and who had beaten the champion in both their previous meetings.
There appeared to be no chance of that this time as double faults by the Slovak allowed Federer to break serve in the first and third games.
Federer was honing his timing on his favourite surface, his sliced backhands keeping the ball low and causing Hrbaty problems.
Two vintage forehand winners in the eighth game then helped Federer to take the set 6-2 and control of the match at two sets to love.
Dominance
Federer continued his dominance in the third set, breaking Hrbaty's serve in the third game and displaying his full repertoire of aggressive stroke making.
One backhand down the line in the fifth game had the hallmark of genius and while his opponent was clearly struggling with his game, there appeared to be no weakness in Federer's performance.
His serving, in particular, was impressive, 10 aces blazing from his racket, while his volleying was also tight.
So impressive was his game that at the changeover after the seventh game Hrbaty sat down in the chair next to Federer presumably to ask for some tips.
Federer, who plays Robin Soderling in the second round, proceeded to serve out for a 6-3 6-2 6-2 victory in just one hour and 19 minutes, which should act as a warning to his closest rivals.
Afterwards the defending champion said he had paid no attention to stories suggesting he is now past his best.
"I haven't been reading and I haven't been listening to what has been said. So, of course I haven't been affected either," said Federer.
"I've been working in there as defending champion, opening Centre Court, trying to defend the title again. That's all that mattered to me.
"I came from a good tournament in Halle. I couldn't do any better than not dropping a set, not dropping a service game, so I feel like I'm right there to do the same thing again this week."
