Australian Lleyton Hewitt recorded his 100th grasscourt victory on Wednesday but one of the game's most tenacious warriors landed a bloodless win after Kazakhstan's Evgeny Korolev retired with a suspected shoulder injury.
The 2002 Wimbledon champion comfortably won the first two sets 6-4, 6-4 and was leading 3-0 in the third when his opponent called it a day.
The 29-year-old Hewitt is playing with all his old flair, his confidence riding high after he ended a 15-match losing streak to defeat Roger Federer in the pre-Wimbledon tournament at Halle.
Hewitt, the most successful active player on grass in terms of match wins, was fast out of the blocks.
"Yeah, it was good, I got off to a good start," he said.
After committing just seven unforced errors, he said: "I played a clean match, a smart match."
The diminutive Australian was also relieved to have plenty left in the tank after his match was cut short. "Today didn't take a whole lot out of me which is good.
"Moving forward, if you can keep doing that, putting yourself in a position where you feel good in the second week, it makes life a lot easier."
Hewitt was cheered on as usual by The Fanatics fan club -- an Aussie-style "barmy army" who chanted "Here We Go Lleyton" and got the sun-baked crowd on Court One to join in.
Next in line for Hewitt is Frenchman Gael Monfils and Hewitt, the 15th seed, is bracing for a tough fight.
""He loves a target, he moves extremely well. Obviously he's got a big wingspan out there, a good first serve," he said.
First stop tonight for Hewitt will be in front of a television set -- watching Australia in the World Cup.
But there will be one firm rule in place whatever the result against Serbia.
When asked, he quickly replied: "No, I won't have any beers. No, not tonight."
