Last year's beaten finalist Andy Roddick was quickly into his stride at this year's Wimbledon.
Three-time runner-up eases to first-round win over compatriot
Andy Roddick crushed Rajeev Ram 6-3 6-2 6-2 to get his latest bid for that elusive Wimbledon title up and running.
The American, beaten 16-14 in the final set of last year's final by Roger Federer, had few problems in dispatching his compatriot on Court One at the All England Club.
The three-time runner-up took control from the word go, breaking serve at the first attempt, meaning Ram was never ahead in the contest.
Roddick impressed at the net during that first set, putting behind him his recent shock defeat to Dudi Sela at Queen's Club.
He also made a lightning-fast start to the second set, hammering down one serve which was clocked at 142mph.
Ram offered more resistance in the third set but the game was up when he surrendered his serve again in the seventh game and Roddick soon wrapped up victory with a trademark ace.
Roddick was asked afterwards about possible scars from last year's agonising loss and admitted he would never forget how close he got to the famous trophy.
Huge moment
"People have asked me how am I going to forget that match? The answer is I'm not going to forget it," said the fifth seed.
"That's an impossibility because it was a huge moment in my life.
"Wimbledon is a tournament I'm very proud of, but as for closing my eyes and thinking hard about how that match could make my forehand better, I'm not sure.
"I'll remember it but this is a separate tournament. The goal is the second round here.
"I'm happy to talk about last year. I want to focus on this year's event, but I'm fully aware that's not the reality of the situation.
"Therefore, I'm not going to let it bother me. I'm not going to act agitated.
"It was a privilege to play in that match. I'm not going to act like it's a burden now, that's for sure."
Tomas Berdych, the 12th seed who Roddick beat in the Miami Masters final in April, was also a winner in the evening sunshine.
He saw off Andrey Golubev, of Kazakhstan, 7-6 (7.5) 6-2 6-2.
However, one seed to fall late in the day was number 20, Stanislas Wawrinka, beaten 6-7 (5/7) 6-1 2-6 7-6 (7/4) 6-3 by Denis Istomin.
