Nadal powers through opener

Rafael Nadal’s bid for a second Wimbledon crown got off to a predictably strong start as he bulldozed his way into round two with a straight-sets victory over spirited wild card Kei Nishikori.

The Majorca native, champion at SW19 in 2008, looked at home in the sweltering Wimbledon sunshine as he took to Centre Court for the first time in two years after missing out with tendinitis 12 months ago.

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.

Next up for the five-time French Open champion is a second-round encounter with Holland’s Robin Haase, who defeated James Blake in three sets.