World number one Roger Federer began his quest for a record sixth consecutive Wimbledon title with a 6-3 6-2 6-2 demolition of Slovakia's Dominik Hrbaty on day one at the All England Club.
Federer, extending his unbeaten streak on grass to 60 matches, eased into the second round with a confident performance on Centre Court.
The Swiss, with a morale-boosting tournament win on grass in Halle last week after a crushing French Open final defeat by Rafael Nadal earlier this month, was never extended by Hrbaty who battled hard but lacked the firepower to pressure the top seed. The pain from Federer's Roland Garros humiliation appears to have subsided.
The top seed, who next faces big-serving Swede Robin Soderling, was in imperious form against an opponent who had won their only two previous encounters, the last four years ago on a hard court in Cincinnati. He is one of only three active players who boast a winning head-to head record against Federer.
With a radiant sun beating down, Federer was swiftly into the groove, holding his first service game to love and racing into a 3-0 lead after winning the first 11 points against the rusty Slovak.
Playing his first game on grass since last year's tournament after an injury-hit season and competing here under a protected ranking of 70, rather than his true one of 272 after undergoing elbow surgery, Hrbaty held serve at the second time of asking to sympathetic cheers.
He earned one standing ovation for an audacious lob at full stretch that left Federer flailing but the champion was in no mood to let his flying start slip.
Working his opponent around the court with a mix of precise groundstrokes, crisp volleys and a remorselessly-accurate serve, Federer was able to hit his stride back on a court that he has made his own.
The Swiss was put under pressure for the only time in the seventh game, Hrbaty forcing three deuces but no break points, but held firm and took the opening set in 25 minutes.
Fully into top gear, Federer raced away with the second set after breaking Hrbaty twice and, having barely broken sweat, had little trouble clinching the match for the loss of a further two games.
Round-up:
Third seed Novak Djokovic overcame a second-set slump to beat Germany's Michael Berrer 7-5 2-6 6-3 6-0 on centre court.
Former champion Lleyton Hewitt showed all his renowned battling qualities to join Djokovic in the second round, beating Holland's Robin Haase 6-7 (4/7) 6-3 6-3 6-7 (1/7) 6-2.
Eleventh seed Tomas Berdych also had a few worrying moments before beating Russia's Evgeny Korolev 4-6 6-1 6-4 3-6 7-5.
Former semi-finalist Marcos Baghdatis was delighted to get back on the grass of Wimbledon as he booked his place in the second round with victory over Belgium's Steve Darcis.
Baghdatis, who reached the quarter-finals last year and the last four in 2006, won 6-3 6-2 6-7 (5/7) 6-3 on court two and will face former Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson in the last 64.
Chile's Fernando Gonzalez beat Robby Ginepri, the 15th seed winning in straight sets, while number 21 seed Juan Carlos Ferrero recovered from the loss of the opening set to beat Sam Querrey 2-6 6-4 6-4 6-4.
Sweden's Robin Soderling secured the debatable honour of a second-round clash with defending champion Roger Federer, courtesy of a four-set victory over American Kevin Kim.
Ivo Karlovic was the biggest casualty on day one, in every sense of the word. The 6ft 10in Croatian, the 18th seed, won the opening set against unheralded German Simon Stadler but eventually lost 4-6 7-6 (7/4) 6-3 7-5.
Serbia's Ilia Bozoljac made the most of his late entry into the event, replacing the injured Gael Monfils (shoulder) in the draw with little more than an hour's notice and beating Australian Chris Guccione in four sets.
Twice grand slam winner Marat Safin saw off a third-set fightback by Fabio Fognini at Wimbledon on Monday to win 6-1 6-2 7-6 and set up a meeting with Novak Djokovic in the second round.
Late in the day, seventh seed David Nalbandian crashed out, losing in straight sets to Canada's Frank Dancevic.
Nalbandian reached the final here in 2002, losing to Lleyton Hewitt, but was comprehensively beaten 6-4 6-2 6-4, only his second first-round defeat in a grand slam in 27 appearances.
