Rafael Nadal shrugged off suggestions that he might be in decline after his second-round Wimbledon win over Ryan Sweeting.
The world number one and defending champion has won four of the last five grand slams on offer and has ten to his name at the age of 25, but has seen Novak Djokovic beat him in four finals already this year.
Despite that, the Mallorcan is still the major force in the men's game and was surprised to be asked if he thought his time in power was coming to an end after dismantling Sweeting 6-3 6-2 6-4 under the Centre Court roof.
"I may be in decline, but I won Roland Garros two weeks ago. I don't forget," he said, smiling.
"Maybe the websites say I am, but two weeks after winning Roland Garros is a little bit fast to say I am."
Three-time losing finalist Andy Roddick needed the minimum amount of sets available as he brought the curtain down on Centre for the day with a 6-4 6-3 6-4 win in what had at first appeared to be a tricky clash with Victor Hanescu.
Canadian Milos Raonic, who was scheduled to meet Nadal in the third round, was 3-2 ahead in the first set against Gilles Muller when he slipped and hurt his groin, prompting his retirement.
The number ten seed, Mardy Fish, booked a third-round meeting with Robin Haase as he saw off Denis Istomin.
The American needed two hours and 16 minutes to emerge a 7-6 (8/6) 6-4 6-4 winner against the world number 56, while Haase saw off Fernando Verdasco on Court 12.
On the same court, Richard Gasquet was mightily impressive, as he often is in the early stages of tournaments, beating Igor Kunitsyn 6-1 6-4 6-4, while there was a shock on Court 18 as the normally reliable Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka lost in straight sets to Simone Bolelli.
Another surprise, albeit a minor one, saw the big-serving Ivo Karlovic go out to Lukasz Kubot 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 6-3.
Alex Bogomolov Jr was rarely troubled as he beat Juan Ignacio Chela 6-0 6-3 6-4, Feliciano Lopez took four sets to see off Rainer Schuettler and Gilles Simon beat Dudi Sela.
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