Wimbledon 2013: Novak Djokovic sets the standard with crushing victory over Jeremy Chardy

Novak Djokovic plays a backhand against Jeremy Chardy (Getty Images)

World number one Novak Djokovic laid down a marker for his Wimbledon rivals as he took apart France's Jeremy Chardy.

The 26-year-old's assault on a seventh grand slam title never looked like it would be thrown off course by the 22nd seed, who had failed to take a set off the Serbian in their six previous meetings.

Chardy's fruitless run extended this evening as top seed Djokovic romped to a 6-3 6-2 6-2 victory in one hour and 26 minutes.

It was Djokovic's 50th tour-level win on grass and saw him through to the Wimbledon last 16 for the fifth consecutive year, with 13th seed Tommy Haas now standing in his way of a quarter-final berth.

The top seed raced out of the blocks and wore down Chardy's early exuberance with some exquisite play.

Big-hitting Frenchman Chardy saw his resistance broken after 28 minutes, when an exquisite cross-court backhand allowed Djokovic to break serve.

It put the reigning Australian Open champion on course to take the first set and it got no easier for Chardy.

The Frenchman, bidding to reach the Wimbledon last 16 for the first time, dropped his first service game and was broken again as Djokovic ran through the second set.

The Serbian only conceded two points on serve during those opening sets and it took until midway through the third for him to make an unforced error.

Djokovic had lifted his foot off the gas but continued in the ascendancy, dismantling his opponent with some sensational returns and quickly wrapping up the one-sided contest.