Roger Federer’s first step towards a record ninth Wimbledon title was definitely a tough one, with unseeded 33-year-old Frenchman Adrian Mannarino seemingly ready to write a script of his own on Tuesday.

Unfortunately, what could have been the greatest day of Mannarino’s career, ended in agony for him as he appeared to injure his knee after a slip in the fourth set which forced him to eventually retire.

Sixth seed Federer must have felt some relief as he advanced to the next round, with the score reading 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 6-2.

By the time he left Centre Court, Federer must have felt every minute of his 39 years and 337 days as his opponent showed the sort of imagination and flair which the Swiss is known for.

Earlier on Tuesday, fourth seed Alexander Zverev served strongly to overpower Dutch qualifier Tallon Griekspoor 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 on Tuesday.

Play was suspended due to rain as the roof was closed on Court One with Zverev up a set and a break but the stoppage had no impact on the 24-year-old who continued to land a high percentage of his first serves in to dominate the match.

On Monday, twice champion Andy Murray survived a third-set meltdown to beat Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3.

Barty clears hurdle

Women’s top seed Ashleigh Barty cleared a hurdle as she beat Carla Suarez Navarro 6-1, 6-7 (1-7), 6-1 on Tuesday.

The Australian, sporting a 1970s-inspired outfit paying homage to compatriot Evonne Goolagong’s trailblazing first Wimbledon title 50 years ago, played beautifully.

Barty used her all-court game, full of all manner of spins and angles, to great effect as she started and finished the match in dominant fashion.

The former world No.6 Suarez Navarro, who will end her career at the Tokyo Olympics, received a standing ovation as she departed the Centre Court for the last time with Barty leading the applause.

Five-time champion Venus Williams, playing as a wildcard in her 23rd Wimbledon, showed vintage form to beat Romania’s Mihaela Buzarnescu 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 and reach the second round.

The oldest woman in the draw at 41, Venus had not won a match since reaching the second round at the Australian Open in February but showed she was far from finished on her return to a favourite place.

Venus’s next opponent will be Tunisian Ons Jabeur, who beat Sweden’s Rebecca Peterson 6-2, 6-1.

Former world No.1 Angelique Kerber made a wobbly start against Wimbledon debutant Nina Stojanovic before finding her groove on grass to secure a 6-4, 6-3 victory and reach the second round.

Kerber, one of five former champions in the draw, made a slew of errors at the start, trailing 0-3 before switching gears.