Nervy Nadal takes time to find groove

It was not always pretty, but it was job done for Rafael Nadal as he started his bid for a third Wimbledon title with a first-round win over Thomaz Bellucci yesterday.

Seeded second, Nadal is fresh from winning a record seventh French Open title and, Novak Djokovic apart, is the favourite to add to the titles he won here in 2008 and 2010.

Winning against an opponent ranked 78 places below him in the world was always expected, with his 7-6 (7/0) 6-2 6-3 success the first step of what the Spaniard hopes will be the route to a 12th grand slam title.