No roof, no coach, no warm-up event, no problem. It was business as usual for Roger Federer at Wimbledon yesterday as the defending champion began his quest for a record-equalling fifth straight title in assured fashion. After rain delayed the start of play at the All England Club by almost three hours, Federer emerged on to Centre Court in long trousers and white jacket. And he could probably have won without bothering to take them off as he beat Russian debutant Teimuraz Gabashvili 6-3 6-2 6-4 in just 92 minutes. The world number one had arrived in London with the faintest chink in his armour showing after sacking coach Tony Roche, losing the French Open final to Rafael Nadal and pulling out of the grass-court event in Halle which he had won each of the last four years. Even Centre Court was unrecognisable without its roof, leaving Federer's mother open to the elements in the Royal Box. But the result was all too familiar as Federer extended his unbeaten run on grass to 49 matches. "It was different, there was always a constant breeze from the one end, like in many of the stadiums around the world," Federer admitted. "I definitely prefer the old one over this one right now, but obviously it's a work in progress." Andy Roddick admitted he had a tough time retaining focus to overcome old friend Justin Gimelstob on Court One. The number three seed eventually recorded a 6-1 7-5 7-6 (7-3) victory following a rain delay of almost two hours. Gimelstob - who had missed the end of last season and the opening few months of 2007 after recovering from major back surgery - was happy to play to the crowd as he pushed his fellow American in the final two sets, one of which included an epic game of 10 deuces. The 30-year-old produced a number of trademark acrobatic dives, and also recorded the first Hawk-Eye challenge at Wimbledon following the new rules at this year's tournament. In the end, though, Roddick kept his cool to secure safe passage into the second round. Germany's Phillip Kohlschreiber was the first seed to be knocked out of the men's singles after a straight-sets defeat to France's Florent Serra. The 27th seed, who reached the third round last year, lost 7-6 6-4 6-4 on court six as Serra claimed his first win at the All England Club. | 
