In a ludicrous rain delay, Novak Djokovic dried the court with his towel and urged the spectators to “blow” as his Wimbledon title defence began with a win.

On Centre Court, Djokovic defeated Argentina’s Pedro Cachin 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4).

Despite the closed roof, there was no play for 80 minutes after the first set, with Djokovic dabbing the grass before ground men deployed leaf blowers.

When play resumed, Cachin’s service was broken twice in the second set, and the Serb won the tie-break in the third.

Djokovic, who is looking to capture his eighth Wimbledon title and equal Roger Federer’s record for a male player, will now face American Brandon Nakashima, ranked 55th in the world, after defeating Australia’s Jordan Thompson, ranked 70th.