Roger Federer has advanced to the third round of the ATP Masters Series in Hamburg with a typically brilliant display against Finland's Jarkko Nieminen.
Defending champion Federer wiped the floor with Nieminen, taking less than an hour to secure the 6-1 6-3 victory.
Federer has won in Hamburg four of the past six years - and his win over Nieminen ran his winning streak at the tournament to 18 matches.
"I think I had a good start today," said Federer, who dropped just 12 points in the first set.
"I am happy with my serve and the way I played from the baseline."
"(Nieminen) is a tough player, even though I have a good success against him. He can cause difficulties."
In addition to last year's title, when he ended Rafael Nadal's record 81-match clay court win streak in the championship, Federer also won in 2002, 2004 and 2005.
Federer needed just 58 minutes to run his career record against Nieminen to 9-0 and book a third-round meeting with Robin Soderling, who upset Australian Open finalist and No.14 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in straight sets.
"Of course I'm satisfied with my game, but Soderling will surely be a tough opponent for the next round," said Federer, who is 5-0 against the Swede.
"He's beaten two good players, (Igor) Andreev and Tsonga. He is a dangerous opponent."
Nadal, playing for the first time since a rare claycourt loss, also advanced to the third round via a 6-4 7-6 (8/6) win over Potito Starace of Italy.
Third seed Novak Djokovic made it a perfect day for the world's top three players, claiming a 6-3 6-1 win in his second-round clash with Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina.
The 20-year-old Serb could overtake Nadal as the world No.2 if things continue to go well for him in Germany.
It was a rough day for 2006 champion and 13th seed Tommy Robredo, who was ousted by Ivo Karlovic 3-6 6-2 7-6 (7/3).
Janko Tipsarevic claimed a 4-6 6-3 6-3 win over seventh seed James Blake and Marat Safin downed No.9 seed Tomas Berdych 7-5 6-4 in the day's other surprises.
Also through to the third round are 11th-ranked Carlos Moya, 12th seed Juan Monaco, No.15 seed Andy Murray, Nicolas Kiefer and Albert Montanes.
Second Round Results from Hamburg Masters, Germany
1-Roger Federer (Switzerland) def. Jarkko Nieminen (Finland) 6-1 6-3
2-Rafael Nadal (Spain) def. Potito Starace (Italy) 6-4 7-6 (8-6)
3-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) def. Juan Ignacio Chela (Argentina) 6-3 6-1
Janko Tipsarevic (Serbia) def. 7-James Blake (USA) 4-6 6-3 6-3
Marat Safin (Russia) def. 9-Thomas Berdych (Czech Republic) 7-5 6-4
11-Carlos Moya (Spain) def. Olivier Rochus (Belarus) 7-5 6-3
12-Juan Monaco (Argentina) def. Simone Bolelli (Italy) 6-2 6-1
Ivo Karlovic (Croatia) def. 13-Tommy Robredo (Spain) 3-6 6-2 7-6 (7-3)
Robin Soderling (Sweden) def. 14-Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France) 6-2 7-5
15-Andy Murray (Great Britain) def. Gilles Simon (France) 6-3 6-3
Nicolas Kiefer (Germany) def. Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland) 7-5 7-5
Albert Montanes (Spain) def. Jose Acasuso (Argentina) 7-6 (7-3) 6-3