Federer, meanwhile, snuffed out the challenge of the last man to beat him on grass with a 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 victory over Mario Ancic.

The Croat, then 18, upset Federer in the first round on his Wimbledon debut in 2002. Since then the Swiss has won 64 consecutive matches on grass, 39 at the London Grand Slam where he has lifted the trophy five times in a row.

World number one Federer, in devastating form from the start, allowed Ancic only one point in his first four service games as he ran away with the opening set. Ancic improved after a rain delay lasting two hours and 13 minutes with the score 1-1 in the second set, playing a full part in some high quality rallies. Games went with serve until the 11th when the 1.95-metre tall Croat netted a volley to give his opponent the break point.

Federer was in full flow in the third set and won the match in one hour and 41 minutes on his first match point.