By Gary Anderson

Rafael Nadal registered his 700th professional career win to advance to the second round at Wimbledon today ©Getty Images Spain's Rafael Nadal secured the 700th win of his professional career as he booked his place in the second round at Wimbledon today with a three sets to one victory over Slovakia's Martin Klizan.

World number one Nadal, chasing a third title at the All England Club, got off to a slow start however as Klizan claimed the first set 6-4 before normal service was resumed with the Spaniard rattling off the next three sets 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.

The 28-year-old now faces a second round meeting with Czech Lukas Rosol, who knocked him out at this stage of the competition two years ago.

"I really know it is impossible to play my best in the first round," said Nadal.

"For sure the next round will be tough.

"The last three years I did not play much on grass and that affects your rhythm and confidence.

"Lukas Rosol is a very dangerous player - very strong and powerful.

"I will have to play very well if I am to win."

Seven-time champion Roger Federer had an even more straight forward outing as he despatched Italian Paolo Lorenzi 6-1, 6-1, 6-3.

Lorenzi has never won a match in 13 attempts at a Grand Slam.

"Getting the first one out of the way is always a good feeling," said the 32-year-old Swiss, who clinched the match with an ace.

"I thought I played well, got a lot of breaks and served well.

"Walking down the tunnel I felt relaxed and happy to go on court but once you step out there you are ready and you do feel some pressure."

Seven-time champion Roger Federer (left) shakes hands with Italian Paolo Lorenzi after winning their first round match at Wimbledon ©Getty Images Seven-time champion Roger Federer (left) shakes hands with Italian Paolo Lorenzi after winning their first round match at Wimbledon ©Getty Images



Compatriot and fifth seed Stanislav Wawrinka has not got past the first round at Wimbledon in three of the last four years but the Australian Open champion had no problems against world number 41 Joao Sousa of Portugal securing a 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 win.

Eighth seed Milos Raonic and 10th seed Kei Nishikori of Japan had straight set wins over Australia's Matthew Ebden and Kenny De Scheppe of France respectively.

De Scheppe's compatriot Jo-Wilfried Tsonga came through a five-set battle with Austria's Jurgen Melzer but needed only one game today to seal the win after play was suspended last night with the number 14 seed 5-4 up in the deciding set.

In the women's draw, seventh seed Jelena Jankovic of Serbia went out after a surprise straight sets loss to Estonia's Kai Kanepi with Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova another seeded player to fall after she was beaten by 21-year-old Portuguese Michelle Larcher de Brito 3-6, 6-3, 6-1.

De Brito made a name for herself here last year after disposing of Maria Sharapova in the second round and the Russian took just 58 minutes to despatch home player Samantha Murray 6-1, 6-0 today.

Estonia's Kai Kanepi caused the big upset on day two at Wimbledon by knocking out seventh seed Jelena Jankovic of Serbia ©Getty Images Estonia's Kai Kanepi caused the big upset on day two at Wimbledon by knocking out seventh seed Jelena Jankovic of Serbia ©Getty Images



Sharapova is bidding to win a second Wimbledon crown ten years after her maiden Grand Slam victory and comes into the tournament off the back of her fifth major win at the French Open earlier this month.

"It's such a quick turnaround," said the 27-year-old, who will face Switzerland's Timea Bacsinszky next.

"You just want to be physically rested but also have enough preparation and practice going into Wimbledon, it's a thin line.

"But I've recovered mentally and physically."

Top seed and five-time champion Serena Williams overcame fellow American Anna Tatishvili 6-1 6-2 while the runners-up at the past two tournaments Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland and Germany's Sabine Lisicki came through with straight set wins over Romania's Andreea Mitu and Julia Glushko of Israel respectively.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related Stories
June 2014: 
Murray begins Wimbledon title defence with straight sets win
June 2014: Murray returns to scene of historic win as Wimbledon Championships get underway
June 2014: Nadal wins ninth French Open title with victory over Djokovic
January 2014: Li Na secures Australian Open title with victory over Cibulkova
June 2013: Murray ends 77 years of British hurt as he wins Wimbledon title