Roger Federer felt he was in ‘ruthless’ form after a 6-1 6-3 6-0 win over world No88 Damir Dzumhur in the opening round at Wimbledon.
The Bosnian had no answer to the seven-time Wimbledon champion as No2 seed Federer boldly underlined his title credentials.
The Swiss powered his way victory in just 68 minutes on Centre Court and will face either Sam Querrey or Igor Sjisling in the next round.
Federer said: “I think it’s also his [Dzumhur] first time on Centre Court. I’m sure in some crazy way he’s also enjoying himself, he can look back and say I played on Centre. It’s where you want to play.
“Back in the day maybe I would not be as ruthless as today. But now it’s trying to focus on what I need to do.
“I don’t think it really matters at the end of the day what the scoreline is. For me, it’s about playing the tournament, the ball that’s coming from my opponent.
“Of course, you try not to have any hiccups early on, but if they do happen, it’s important to find a way to win.
“For me, what’s most important in the early rounds, is to try to play in a way that allows me to keep the same level later on in the tournament, if I already feel like I am controlling the match somewhat like today.”
Federer – making a record 63rd consecutive Grand Slam appearance – took the first set in 18 minutes after breaking Dzumhur twice.
From 3-3 in the second, Federer didn’t drop a game, but the 33-year-old was adamant the emphatic manner of his triumph was not fired by a desire to silence those who claimed he was past his best.
He said: “I play for myself and my team, my fans, my country, you name it, rather than against the people who think and have come out and said things.
“It’s part of the game really. But they don’t drive me in any way whatsoever.”
