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Roger Federer reached the second round of Wimbledon for the 15th consecutive year after opponent Alexandr Dolgopolov retired during the second set.
In what was a near repeat of the previous match on Centre Court, when Martin Klizan pulled the plug against Novak Djokovic, Dolgopolov retired with an ankle injury when trailing 6-3 3-0.
The victory means Federer has moved ahead of Jimmy Connors with his 85th match win at Wimbledon – the most of the open era.
Earlier Djokovic breezed through to the second round of Wimbledon when opponent Klizan retired during the second set.
The Slovakian has been struggling with a left calf injury for two months and it was clear from halfway through the first set that he was in no state to compete with Djokovic.
After two points of a Djokovic service game and with the second seed leading 6-3 2-0, Klizan gestured that he was done and shook hands.
This was Djokovic’s first grand slam match since his shocking capitulation to Dominic Thiem in the quarter-finals of the French Open.
The 30-year-old appeared rejuvenated by a week at the seaside in Eastbourne, going against the grain by playing a tournament just before a grand slam.
The early stages of the match were tight but Klizan, who retired during a match in Antalya last week, began hobbling at 3-3.
Djokovic broke serve in the eighth game before clinching the set with an ace.
Klizan had a conversation with the trainer at the change of ends and his decision to carry on was short-lived.
“It was great to be back on Centre Court. It’s the cradle of the tennis history and it’s a special feeling to walk on. It brings back many memories. It’s nice to be back but you never like to end a match this way,” Djokovic said.
“He had issues walking on to court. I tried to focus on my game plan, I was serving well and when it mattered I made a break. But you could see he wasn’t moving. I’m sure he didn’t want to finish this way. It’s Wimbledon and it’s a big tournament. I wish him all the best.”
2016 finalist Milos Raonic joined the duo in the second round. The Canadian sixth seed moved past big-hitting German Jan-Lennard Struff 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 7-6 (7-4).
Also through is last week’s Eastbourne finalist Gael Monfils, the 15th-seeded Frenchman advanced in straight sets over German qualifier Daniel Brands 6-3 7-5 6-4.
However his countryman Richard Gasquet was sent packing in a first round upset to Spaniard David Ferrer.
The 35-year-old Ferrer, who has not lost in the first round of a grand slam since he was 23 beat 22nd seed Gasquet 6-3 6-4 5-7 6-2.
Germany’s Zverev brothers also both advanced. Alexander, the 10th seed followed up 27th-seeded Mischa’s straight sets win over Australia’s Bernard Tomic with a 6-4 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 win over Russia’s Evgeny Donskoy.
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