Federer won 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 to advance to a second round meeting with either Juan Martin del Porto of Argentina or Italian Davide Sanguinetti, after the start of play had been delayed by almost two and half hours.

Federer's 49th consecutive victory on grass was wrapped up one hour and 32 minutes after he had begun his bid to emulate Bjorn Borg's five-in-a-row with an immaculate service winner.

Also through to the second round is Andy Roddick, the third seed, who beat fellow American Justin Gimelstob 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) on Monday.

Roddick now plays either Thailand's Danai Udomchoke or Carlos Berlocq of Argentina for a place in the third round.

There was also a little piece of history made in the third game of the third set in the Federer match when Gabashvilli, believing a Federer forehand down the line to have been out, registered the first appeal to Hawkeye, the computerised replay system being used at Wimbledon for the first time this year.