Rafael Nadal is relishing the prospect of mounting a serious challenge at Wimbledon this year after easing his way into the second round with a straight-sets victory over John Millman.

The Spaniard, who was playing his first grass-court match in two years, always looked in control of the contest as he ran out a 6-1 6-3 6-2 winner in just one hour and 48 minutes.

The number four seed, who missed last year’s Championships at the All England Club through injury, has not made it beyond the fourth round at SW19 since reaching the final in 2011, but he is confident over going far in this year’s tournament.

“I have been playing good tennis since the beginning of the season,” he said.

“The clay-court season has been special and emotional and here I have an opportunity to perform on grass.”

Nadal has won four titles on the ATP Tour already this year, including an unprecedented tenth success at the French Open, although his last triumph at Wimbledon came in 2010 when he beat Tomas Berdych in the final.

Next up for the world number two is a clash with American Donald Young on Wednesday, a player he will be confident of beating as he has won both their previous meetings.

Nadal is priced at 1.05 to secure a victory during Wednesday’s match, while Young, who has never made it beyond the second round at Wimbledon, is available at 10.00.