The phrase ‘the only game in town’ was particularly apt as Agnieszka Radwanska got her Wimbledon 2016 underway.

Her first round joust against Kateryna Kozlova of the Ukraine was originally scheduled for No.2 Court on Tuesday afternoon but never started as the British summer did its worst. On Day Three, the weather was much the same, but with the match now opening proceedings on Centre Court, the closed roof fended off the rain which had halted all play elsewhere. Under shelter, the No.3 seed saw off her opponent 6-2, 6-1 in an encounter which was more entertaining than the score might suggest.

“With the weather, I was really lucky to play on Centre and get the match done,” said Radwanska. “I’ve played with the roof closed a couple of times. It’s really humid. But of course I like it, especially when I’m already delayed by a day. I was mentally ready to go on Tuesday, then rain. The more roofs [at the Slams], the better.”

Kozlova, the Ukrainian world No.97, had just one Tour-level match to her name before walking out on to the greatest stage of them all, and she produced some creditable tennis. She likes grass, and reached the quarter-finals at ’s-Hertogenbosch in the run-up to the Fortnight, but the gulf in class between herself and the 2012 runner-up here was always evident.

There is so much for Grand Slam newcomers to compute, even if facing a player with a compatible ranking on an outside court. Kozlova found herself up against a Centre Court old hand, and a frequent visitor to the latter stages of The Championships to boot… not to mention the owner of the springiest knees in tennis. It was too much for the Ukrainian.

She broke Radwanksa in the first set – but only once she was already 0-4 down. The 2012 finalist’s signature variety completely dismantled Kozlova in the second set, and she took victory in 63 minutes. Radwanska has never lost in the first round here, although she has been vulnerable to defeat from unlikely challengers elsewhere.