Federer and Nadal ease into Wimbledon second round

Former champions Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal eased into the second round of Wimbledon during the second day of play. Second seed Federer went through the repertoire of his grass court skills against Damir Dzhumur, chipping returns and charging the net, heavy serves followed by punched volleys at the net. Sliced returns and surprise advances to the forecourt seemed almost cruel as the 23-year-old from Bosnia-Herzegovina tried to cope with the veteran winner of seven titles at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

Roger Federer (left) lost the 2014 Wimbledon final against Novak Djokovic. AFP

The 33-year-old Swiss is seeded second this year and is among the favourites to claim the crown. Dzhumur was a set down after only 18 minutes. The next two went by almost as quickly but there was a tad more resistance. It finished 61 63 63 to Federer after 67 minutes.

Nadal claimed one of his titles against Federer in an epic five setter seven years ago. The Spaniard is suffering a slump in form by his supreme standards. He is seeded 10th this year - his lowest ranking in a decade.

But for all his travails, he's still a doughty operator. The 29-year-old had too much guile for the Brazilian Tomaz Bellucci. It finished 64 62 64 after just over two hours of play on Court 1.

In the women's draw, defending champion Petra Kvitova opened her campaign with a brutal destruction of Kiki Bertens. The 23-year-old from the Netherlands was back in the locker room after 35 minutes, annihilated 61 60 by the Czech lefthander. Kvitova, seeded second, is seeking her third title at Wimbledon. She will face more testing assignments.