Roger Federer is on course for a double gold at the London Olympics, after cruising past Frenchman Julien Benneteau, the player that gave him the most trouble at Wimbledon a few weeks ago.
There was no epic five-setter on the All-England courts on Monday, partly because all men's matches at the Olympics are three-setters and also because the Swiss Master is in such prime form, it is hard to see who will stop him, especially in the singles. Federer won 6-2, 6-2 to move into the third round.
The 30-year-old then played with Stanislas Wawrinka in the doubles, getting the better of Kei Nishikori and Go Soeda 6-7, (5-7), 6-4, 6-4.
Federer said winning the singles gold, would be a "dream come true"; the 17-time Grand Slam champion already has an Olympic gold, after winning the doubles title with Wawrinka in Beijing in 2008.
"(It would be a) dream come true, I would say, because I definitely got inspired by the 1992 victory by Marc Rosset," Federer said.
"That was huge news in Switzerland. I definitely felt like I was inspired by that on an Olympic level."
"So when I got the call in 2000 to be part of the Sydney Olympics 12 years ago, I got there, I stayed in the village. I was there for over two weeks.
"I had the best time following sports, being there with the athletes, playing so well. I almost overachieved in that tournament. Ever since it's been something very important in my life."
Federer said he was definitely capable of winning both the singles and doubles gold this year. "Sure, why not? I entered in both events hoping I could do well in both. It would be a dream come true.
"Nobody believes it's possible at this moment and I'm still very far away from all the medals in singles and doubles.
"Let's not get carried away too quickly, but I'm happy with my level of play."
Novak Djokovic's hopes of winning two gold medals were squashed after he and his partner Victor Troicki lost to Sweden's Johan Brunstrom and Robert Lindstedt 7-6 (10-8), 6-3. Djokovic is still alive in the singles, and poses the biggest threat to Federer winning his first singles gold. The Serbian faces American Andy Roddick in the second round.
Meanwhile, number one seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus said she was relieved to come out of her first match with a victory. Azarenka was made to wait, after rain delayed her match on Sunday, but eventually prevailed 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 over Romania's Irina-Camelia Begu.
"It was a long wait for me," Azarenka said. "I had to play yesterday but it got cancelled. Your first match on Centre Court, there are always nerves and today I couldn't get into the match in the second set.
"There were too many mistakes, but I'm glad I could turn things around and finish as strong as I started.
"I get more nervous when I play for my country than when I play for myself. Hopefully, the next round will be much easier."
Azarenka next faces Spaniard Maria Jose Martinez, who beat Polona Hercog of Slovenia in straight sets.
Serena and Venus Williams both progressed in the singles and doubles and the younger sister Serena was relieved to pick up a win in her singles match against Urszula Radwanska. "I think I played okay today," Williams said. "I was excited to be out there, to play solid.
"I don't think I played bad. Obviously, I have to believe I can play better but, you know, for early rounds, I think I'm playing pretty good.
Williams now plays Vera Zvonareva, who American beat in the Wimbledon final two years ago.
"Playing Vera, it's a good matchup for us both. Wimbledon final rematch. Tough match for me. She's playing so well, moving well, doing everything great. So, you know, it's not an easy tournament. You have to get out there. Playing someone tough so soon, it's going to be a good challenge for me.
There were also wins for Kim Clijsters of Belgium and Denmark's former world number one Caroline Wozniacki in the women's draw.
