“For sure it was my best match here so far,” Nadal said. “I felt much better today and a win against Lleyton is always a great win. It was an amazing result.”

It had to be little consolation for the elder Williams when she saw herself on the latest cover of the American TENNIS magazine, touted as a favorite for Wimbledon.

No. 2-seeded Serena Williams pummeled Spaniard Virginia Ruano Pascual 6-2, 6-0, while No. 3-seeded Venus Williams barely escaped a rain-delayed three-set encounter, beating Czech Lucie Safarova 6-7(5), 6-2, 7-5.

Federer will next face Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu, the No. 32 seed who advanced on Thursday with a straight-set win over Pabl Andujar.

French wildcard Josselin Ouanna ousted former No. 1 Marat Safin 7-6(2), 7-6(4), 4-6, 3-6, 10-8 in the biggest upset of the day.

“These types of matches are really important for me,” Sharapova said. “I’m spending more time out there than I want to, but I’m learning so many new things as well. When you haven’t played for such a long time and you’re put in these situations, many things come back to you.”

“I don’t know,” Nadal told reporters when grilled about the shirt. “Why was I in white and yellow two weeks ago? It’s better than dress the same color every week, no?”

Other Top 10 seeds in action did not have such an easy time, with No. 3 Venus Williams squeaking by fellow American Bethanie Mattek-Sands 6-1, 4-6, 6-2, and No. 10 Caroline Wozniacki at a set all against Vera Dushevina when the match was suspended.

Ivanovic has had a difficult 12 months since winning last year’s french title, suffering a thumb injury which led to a bout of self-doubt.

“I’m more mature,” Ivanovic told reporters. “Comparing my game to last year, it’s improved. There are some areas that I’ve added to and I feel really confident on the court. I have a very good opportunity to do well again here, and I love playing here on clay.”