LONDON, Brazil, June 24 – Defending champion Roger Federer began his campaign for a record eighth Wimbledon title in quickfire style on Monday, taking just 69 minutes to storm past Romania’s Victor Hanescu.
The 31-year-old Swiss swept to a 6-3, 6-2, 6-0 win on Centre Court to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his first triumph at the All England Club with an impressive triumph.
Federer fired 32 winners and just six unforced errors as he clinched a sixth career victory over the 47th-ranked Hanescu.
“It’s the most special thing to be back on Centre Court,” said Federer, playing in his 55th straight Grand Slam.
“I still enjoy it out there. It was a pleasure to play and I’m very happy to get the first round out of the way.
“I am not sure how much better I could have played. It was good to get it done quickly as it was cold and it released some of the pressure.”
Federer came into Wimbledon on the back of his first title of 2013 in Halle, the grasscourt win taking him level with John McEnroe on 77 career titles.
“Halle came at the right time. It shows I am peaking in time for Wimbledon,” said third-seeded Federer who next plays Sergiy Stakhovsky of the Ukraine for a place in the last 32.
