ROGER FEDERER threw his sweatbands into the Centre Court crowd, but there was precious little sweat on them after his easy victory over Spain’s Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in straight sets yesterday.

Federer, seeking a sixth victory at the All England Club and a record 15th grand slam title, barely had to get out of first gear to win 6-2 6-2 6-4 in bright but blustery conditions.

The world number two broke his opponent’s serve five times in total and was delighted to progress with the minimum of fuss.

"I thought all the sets were pretty similar, he won the first service game and I broke him in the next," said Federer, neatly summing up the pattern of an under-whelming match. "I thought one end (of the court) was definitely easier to play from.

"I definitely did not want to underestimate him but I think I did well today, I could even try out a few things in the third set. It was solid and that’s exactly what I needed today.

"I expected a much harder match because he’s been playing well in Eastbourne, he reached the semis over there. And I’ve played him twice before where I saw he has some good forehands and steady backhand. On grass you never know so I was quite surprised I was able to win so easily today."

Federer will face Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber in the third round, the 27th seed winning 8-6 in the fifth set against Ivo Minar of the Czech Republic.

"There are many rounds to pass, many guys who have a crack at me who have nothing to lose," the Swiss star added. "The opponents are only going to get tougher and tougher and if I can keep up a good level I can get through."

Garcia-Lopez may have been an unfamiliar face to the crowd, but he came into Wimbledon on a real high.

The 26-year-old is at a career-high ranking of 42nd in the world, won his first ATP Tour title on clay in May and reached the semi-finals on grass at Eastbourne last week, as Federer pointed out.

He forced two break points on Federer’s serve early in the second set, but failed to take them and was quickly made to pay.