Nadal eases past journeyman Russell at Wimbledon

Rafael Nadal's campaign to capture a third Wimbledon title and his 11th Grand Slam crown enjoyed a comfortable start on Monday with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 win over American journeyman Michael Russell. Nadal, fresh from a record-equalling sixth French Open, was only troubled briefly by his 33-year-old opponent who broke the world number one to lead 4-2 in the first set. But Russell, who has never got beyond the second round, was made to pay for his brief rebellion against the established order as Nadal then reeled off six games in succession to take the opener and lead 2-0 in the second set. Nadal was quickly 4-1 ahead in the third set and there was no way back for the world 91 as the top seed, who unleashed 35 winners, set up a second round meeting with either compatriot Pablo Andjuar or Ryan Sweeting of the United States.