Nadal in ominous form

RAFAEL NADAL began his bid to reclaim the Wimbledon title from Roger Federer in a determined mood as the world number one eased to a straight-sets win on Centre Court yesterday.

Second-seed Nadal bulldozed his way into round two by knocking out spirited wild-card entrant Kei Nishikori.

Faced with 80-degree heat and a talented Japanese opponent tipped for a bright future on the men’s tour, Nadal kept his cool to post a 6-2 6-4 6-4 triumph.