Rafael Nadal finds top gear to race through Wimbledon opener
Rafael Nadal looked in ominously good form as the Spaniard brushed aside Australian John Millman in the first round of Wimbledon.
Nadal is bidding to win his 16th grand slam title at the All England Club following his 10th French Open triumph last month, and on this evidence he would appear more than capable after beating Millman 6-1 6-3 6-2.
The world number two will next face American Donald Young, who booked his place in the second round after opponent Denis Istomin retired injured.
Nadal has endured his own physical problems on grass, having missed Wimbledon last year due to a wrist problem, and he has struggled with the effects of the faster surface on his knees.
But Millman found little sign of weakness in the 31-year-old, who hit 33 winners en route to victory in an hour and 46 minutes.
Millman, ranked 137th in the world, pushed Dominic Thiem to five sets at the US Open last year.
But while playing his part in some thrilling exchanges on Court One, an upset never looked likely.
In what was his 50th match here, Nadal broke the Australian's serve three times in the opening set and then again early in the second when the best rally of the match ended with him whipping a winning forehand down the line.
Millman offered some resistance by breaking back for 3-2 but Nadal would not be deterred as another booming forehand left his opponent sprawled on the floor, face planted into the turf.
Nadal was handed a time violation at the start of the third but nothing could delay his progress as three more scintillating forehands in the final game rounded off a thoroughly convincing performance.
