Novak Djokovic makes perfect start to defence of his Wimbledon title with straight sets win against Juan Carlos Ferrero

Serbia's Novak Djokovic walks on to Centre Court before his first round men's singles match against Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero on the first day of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships. Source: AFP

Wimbledon 2012 - Day 1

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NOVAK Djokovic has unwound a perfect start to a title defence which will decide the immediate ownership of the world No. 1 ranking with a comfortable first-round win over Juan Carlos Ferrero.

The Serb needs to reach the All England Club final to be certain of retaining the No. 1 mantle as arch-rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer circle menacingly.

The world champion recovered from a sluggish start to defeat former world No. 1 Ferrero 6-3 6-3 6-1, closing out the contest with his 13th ace.

His serving was phenomenal, allowing him to win 84 percent of first serves and his hitting off the ground was equally impressive.

The baseliner landed 34 winners and made only 19 unforced errors from the backcourt.Bidding to become the first man to retain the Wimbledon title since Federer in 2007, Djokovic systematically dismantled injury-worn Ferrero without ever hitting his straps.

"He showed his quality in the first two sets and I played very well in the third set," Djokovic said.

"I'm very happy. It was beautiful walking out there on centre court as defending champion. It's a first-time experience in my career.

"The grass was untouched and it's a very special feeling. No other court has this atmosphere."

Djokovic has held the No. 1 ranking since July last year, winning three of the past four majors with his only defeat coming in this year's French Open.

But a slip over the next fortnight could see him dethroned by either Nadal or Federer.

In other men's matches, French 18th seed Richard Gasquet destroyed German Tobias Kamke 6-2 6-2 6-2 as Russian 26th seed Mikhail Youzhny staved off American Donald Young 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-3.Spaniard Fernando Verdasco and Frenchman Julien Benneteau were also part of an untroubled seeded brigade.Verdasco downed Taipei's Jimmy Wang 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 7-5 as Benneteau survived talented Gilles Muller 6-2 7-5 7-6 (7-4).