Australian John Millman has played a bit-part role in Rafael Nadal’s rampant return to Wimbledon.
After missing last year’s edition with a career-threatening wrist injury, Nadal brutally brushed aside Millman 6-1 6-3 6-2 on Monday to swiftly showcase his credentials for a third crown at The All England Club.
The world No.2, fourth seed and newly-crowned 10-times French Open champion next faces American Donald Young on Wednesday for a place in the third round.
Millman had pushed two-time Roland Garros semi-finalist Dominic Thiem to five sets at last year’s US Open, but never looked like becoming the fifth straight player ranked outside the top 100 to send Nadal packing from Wimbledon.
Celebrating his 50th match at the spiritual home of tennis, Nadal broke the Queenslander’s serve three times in the opening set and then again early in the second when the best rally of the match ended with the fourth seed whipping a winning forehand down the line.
Millman offered some resistance by breaking back for 3-2 but Nadal would not be deterred as another booming forehand left his opponent sprawled on the floor, face-planted into the turf.
Nadal was handed a time violation at the start of the third but nothing could delay his progress as three more scintillating forehands in the final game rounded off an emphatic performance.
“I am happy that I am here playing again in Wimbledon and with positive feelings in terms of health. That’s the most important thing,” Nadal said.
“I played with passion. I played with determination on what I wanted.
“I could do things better, yes, but not too many.”