Tennis: Federer flying on centre court

7.41am - By OSSIAN SHINE

LONDON - A focused Roger Federer opened the defence of his Wimbledon crown in devastating style on Monday, thrashing Britain's Alex Bogdanovic 6-3 6-3 6-0 in the first round.

The Swiss top seed drew the sting out of all Bogdanovic's shots on an overcast Centre Court, and pummelled countless winners of his own to hammer out his intentions in emphatic style.

"It was important to get off to a good start, and I did that," Federer said. "I soon saw there was not much he could do on my serve.

"I relaxed, played well and am really looking forward to the next one."

Other former champions to advance on day one were nine-times women's winner Martina Navratilova, twice women's champion Venus Williams and Lleyton Hewitt, who won the men's title in 2002.

Naturalised American Navratilova, making her first appearance in the women's singles at the All England Club for a decade, thrashed Colombia's Catalina Castano 6-0 6-1.

Thirty-one years after her Wimbledon debut, Navratilova -- whose name loosely translates as "comeback" in her native Czech -- produced some vintage serve-volleying to bamboozle an opponent who, at 24, is almost half her age.

Navratilova, who lost in the first round of the French Open on her return to grand slam singles action last month, will play either Australian Jelena Dokic or Argentine Gisela Dulko -- her conqueror in Paris -- in the second round.

"I did (enjoy that). I very much did," the 47-year-old said. "I'm focused, I'm concentrating.

"I think I relaxed when it was six-love, five-love... that's when I finally relaxed and that's what happens, I lose a game," she smiled.

"It's great to be out there, great to have that opportunity. I think, you know, when people say, 'Why are you doing it?' I guess the answer is, because I still can, bottom line."

Navratilova's first opponent at Wimbledon was Britain's Christine Janes in 1973. On Monday, her daughter Amanda looked to be set to cause an upset, but having won the first set against 11th seed Ai Sugiyama, crumbled 3-6 6-2 6-3.

Third seed Venus Williams started her bid for a third Wimbledon crown with a 6-3 6-0 victory over Marie-Gayanay Mikaelian of Switzerland.

Venus, who won the women's title in 2000 and 2001 but has been runner-up to her sister Serena in each of the last two finals, used her heavy serve to dominate her 20-year-old opponent, ranked 106 in the world.

Australian Hewitt suffered a first-round loss last year -- the first men's champion to lose so early since tennis turned professional in 1968 -- but avoided a similar fate on court one with an assured 6-2 6-4 6-2 win over Austria's Juergen Melzer.

"I felt good out there," the Australian said. "I felt like I played the first set pretty well, got out of the blocks well.

"I was happy with where my game was at today. So I can be confident going into the second round now."

Goran Ivanisevic covets a place in the second round more than ever after announcing this Wimbledon will be his last tournament before retiring.

He was leading 31st seed Mikhail Youzhny 6-3 5-6 when the fourth rain delay of the day forced the players off court.

Ivanisevic was making his first appearance at Wimbledon since winning the title in 2001. Injuries had prevented him from defending that title and from playing here last year.

- REUTERS