WIMBLEDON, England — Marat Safin is beginning to find his footing on grass, an ominous development for the rest of the men’s field at Wimbledon.

The mercurial Russian overcame his career-long aversion to lawn tennis Monday and beat Paradorn Srichaphan 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.

A first-round victory by a two-time Grand Slam champion might seem no big deal. But Safin has advanced beyond the second round at Wimbledon only once, and after a first-round loss last year he said he was done trying to win on grass.

Even when Safin won the Australian Open in January, he was unsure whether he would play at Wimbledon. Now he lurks as a threat to claim his second major title this year.

“After what I’ve seen, it looks like he’s getting more comfortable on the surface,” said 2003 runner-up Mark Philippoussis, who will play Safin in the second round Wednesday. “He’s definitely finding his game a little more out there.”

Against Paradorn, the No. 5-seeded Safin moved well despite a knee injury that has hampered him in recent weeks and prompted him to plan a monthlong layoff after Wimbledon. He had 46 winners and just 13 unforced errors, and lost just 11 points on his first serve.

Safin, who has battled a slump on all surfaces in recent months, judged the performance his best since Australia.

“I felt really comfortable, actually, and really confident,” he said. “I wish I could play this level of tennis every day. I’m trying.”

With a rueful smile, Safin acknowledged he still hates grass. He said he’s trying to change that with the help of coach Peter Lundgren, who has encouraged Safin to play more aggressively on the surface.

“I felt really, really comfortable for some reason,” Safin said. “That helped me to get the confidence, because it’s really important to get into the grass and to Wimbledon with something on your back.”

The 6-foot-4 Russian’s next hurdle will be 6-4 Aussie Philippoussis, who is mounting his latest career comeback. He received a wild card into the draw and opened by beating Karol Beck 7-5, 6-4, 6-2.

“He’s going to be tough for the second round, that’s for sure,” Safin said.

Top-ranked Roger Federer extended his grass-court winning streak to 30 matches, including 15 at the All England Club, by beating Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. No. 3-seeded Hewitt hit 19 aces and beat Christophe Rochus 6-3, 6-3, 6-1.

In women’s play, top-ranked Lindsay Davenport needed just 41 minutes to beat Alina Jidkova 6-0, 6-2. Other winners included No. 3 Amelie Mauresmo, No. 15 Kim Clijsters, U.S. Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova and 2004 French Open champion Anastasia Myskina, who trailed 3-0 in the final set, but beat 18-year-old qualifier Katerina Bohmova 5-7, 7-6 (4), 6-4.