IT was a case of job done for Novak Djokovic as the defending champion began his Wimbledon campaign with a comfortable first-round win.

After his victory over Rafael Nadal in the final a year ago, the Serbian had the honour of being the first on Centre Court and he responded with a champion’s performance, barely breaking sweat in a 6-3 6-3 6-1 win over Juan Carlos Ferrero.

As workouts go, it was not the most stringent he will ever encounter, but it was enough to get his title defence ticking over and he was happy with how he played.

‘‘It was a very unique feeling,’’ he said of being first up on the main show court.

‘‘I think it’s the first time I have experienced that in my career.

‘‘The grass was so soft, so smooth. It was great to play on. The grass is not like it used to be when it was more suited to serve-and-volley players. Now it’s more about baseline players, which made him more dangerous for me.

‘‘The first two sets were exciting and close. I was very satisfied with my performance.’’ Number three seed Roger Federer, a six-time winner but off the radar of some this year owing to the continued brilliance of Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, gave a timely reminder of what he can do with a 6-1 6- 1 6-1 win over Albert Ramos.

His post-match press conference ended with talk of the prospects of home favourite Andy Murray, though, with the Scot set to start his campaign today.

Despite a tough draw, the 30-year-old has backed Murray to reach the last four and believes the tournament is set up for him to do well.

Federer said: ‘‘I think he wants to first get through the first round, like all of us.

‘‘But absolutely. I predict him to get there. I haven’t checked his draw. Home-court advantage, playing on grass, with his talent and his game, everything’s right there for him.’’ There were no theatrics from David Nalbandian, despite his exit at the hands of Janko Tipsarevic.

Disqualified from the AEGON Championship final eight days ago for kicking an advertising hoarding against a line judge’s leg, the Argentinian lost in straight sets, 6-4 7-6 (7/4) 6-2.

He groaned with frustration at a number of decisions, but kept himself away from the wrath of the officials.

One man who may have fancied a display of dissent was the sixth seed Tomas Berdych, a straight-sets loser to Ernests Gulbis, while another outside chance, John Isner, also fell on his sword, going down in five sets to Alejandro Falla.

Big-serving American Isner lost 6-4 6-7 3-6 7-6 7-5 – a surprise buckle from a man who some had predicted to go deep into the draw.

‘‘I didn’t put my opponent away,’’ Isner said. ‘‘I had my chances and I didn’t do it. It’s all on me. It wasn’t great.’’ Elsewhere, Ryan Sweeting got through after Potito Starace retired hurt, while French duo Gilles Simon and Richard Gasquet advanced to round two, with 13th seed Simon profiting from the retirement of his countryman Paul-Henri Mathieu when he was 6-3 5-4 ahead.

Eighteenth seed Gasquet had no trouble against Tobias Kamke, seeing off the German 6-2 6-2 6-2, while Spain’s Fernando Verdasco, the 17th seed, defeated qualifier Jimmy Wang 7-6 (7/3) 6-4 7-5.