– But Federer marches through with military precision
LONDON, (Reuters) – Roger Federer turned up at Wimbledon yesterday resembling an army general ready to conduct his latest campaign and soon disarmed the opposition on the opening day of the grasscourt championships.
The Swiss strolled on court in a white monogrammed military-style outfit, complete with a waistcoat underneath, and was soon firing winners past Taiwan’s Lu Yen-Hsun to secure a 7-5 6-3 6-2 win in the first round.
Wimbledon’s famed lawns became slippery like an ice rink later in the day as Novak Djokovic and Julien Benneteau skidded around on the slick surface before the Serbian fourth seed pulled out a 6-7 7-6 6-2 6-4 victory.
Federer had the honour of opening Centre Court proceedings, a privilege usually reserved for the champion, after his great rival Rafael Nadal pulled out with a knee injury.
Although Federer’s five-year Wimbledon reign was ended by the Spaniard last year, it was not long before he was acting every inch a champion and swatted aside Asia’s only contender in the men’s draw with a glorious forehand winner.
“It’s a very privileged spot, Monday 1pm, of course I feel honoured. I know Rafa deserved it more than I do this year but somebody had to do it and I’m happy they chose me. It gets your heart beating, that’s for sure,” the French Open champion said after beginning his pursuit of a record 15th grand slam title.
Asked about his fashion statement, the second seed added: “I went for a modern military look, hope people like it.”
UNDERSTATED
ELEGANCE
However, All England Club officials might have been slightly concerned when number two seed Serena Williams stepped out in a white raincoat that could be handy should the heavens open.
It looked like no one had told the American there was now a retractable roof over Centre Court. Luckily neither roof nor raincoat was needed as Williams slipped into the second round with a 6-1 7-5 victory over Portuguese qualifier Neuza Silva.
Maria Sharapova, who is slated to meet Williams in the last eight, has often raised eyebrows with her Wimbledon wardrobe.
But, a year after turning up in a tuxedo-inspired ensemble, the Russian opted for understated elegance in a classic white dress as she tried to improve on her 2008 second-round showing.
Sharapova, bumped up to 24th seed despite being 60th in the world as she continues her comeback from a nine-month layoff after shoulder surgery, recovered from 4-1 down in the first to claim a 7-5 6-4 win over Ukrainian qualifier Viktoriya Kutuzova.
“I was just trying to hold in there. I was only down two breaks and I thought, ‘It’s not over till it’s over’,” she said.
It was a sentiment shared by Djokovic who looked to be in serious trouble when he lost the opening set.
But it was nothing compared to the hazards faced by Benneteau. Already sporting cuts and bruises all over his knees from his spills, his day ended rather painfully as he rammed into the back wall while chasing down a lob.
As his racket flew out of his hands, he clutched his left knee in agony and needed to take a medical time out to ice the injury. On resumption he saved a match point but his challenge fizzled out a few seconds later.
“The court was quite slippery, I tripped a couple of times and he did as well, so it was very dangerous,” said Djokovic.
TEENAGER FADES
Portuguese teenager Michelle Larcher de Brito had been expected to cause a racket with her ear-splitting wails that will long live in the memory of those who heard her in and around Roland Garros last month. She surprisingly turned on the mute button yesterday during her 6-2 7-5 defeat of Klara Zakopalova.
However, she promised the peace would not last.
“Nobody can tell me to stop grunting. If they have to fine me, go ahead because I’d rather get fined than lose a match because I had to stop grunting. If people don’t like my grunting, they can always leave,” she said defiantly.
Slovakia’s Daniela Hantuchova ended the hopes of Britain’s golden girl Laura Robson 3-6 6-4 6-2.
The 15-year-old Robson, the youngest player in the main draw since Martina Hingis in 1995, had the distinction of winning the first ever point on the new Court Two when she fired an ace.
A booming male voice promptly urged the junior champion to “Go on Laura” but after a promising start the teenager faded and it seemed inevitable when she bowed out with a double fault.
Although the wildcard’s defeat was no surprise, given that she faced an opponent ranked 456 places above her, James Blake’s first round exit would have been a major blow to the American.
The 17th seed reached the Queen’s Club final eight days ago but slumped to a 7-5 6-4 7-6 defeat to Italy’s Andreas Seppi.
