Federer wins, but not in great form
ROGER Federer was short of his best as the seven-time Wimbledon champion advanced to the second round with an uninspired 7-6 (7/5) 7-6 (7/3) 6-3 victory over Argentina’s Guido Pella yesterday.
Federer has been plagued by injury problems this year and the world No 3 lacked rhythm and confidence in his opening match at this year’s grass-court grand slam.
The 34-year-old, without a major title since 2012, will play British qualifier Marcus Willis for a place in the last 32.
World No 706 Willis became a new British hero when he beat Lithuania’s Ricardas Berankis, who is ranked 652 places above him.
The result was 6-3 6-3 6-4 and British fans marked the win by singing “walking in a Willis wonderland”.
Willis is the lowest-ranked qualifier to make the second round of a major since Jared Palmer at No 923 at the 1988 US Open.
“It’s all surreal – a little bit out of hand,” Willis said.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic’s campaign for a third successive Wimbledon title got off to a winning start.
Top seed Djokovic cruised to an easy 6-0 7-6 (7/3) 6-4 victory over Britain’s James Ward.
Djokovic, who holds all four majors, goes on to face Adrian Mannarino, of France.
Five-time women’s champion Venus Williams battled past Croatian teenager Donna Vekic 7-6 (7/3) 6-4.
Williams, 36, is the oldest woman in the main draw and first won Wimbledon in 2000 when Vekic was just four.
The world No 8, playing in a record-equalling 71st grand slam, will next play Greek qualifier Maria Sakkari.
French Open champion Garbine Muguruza also made the second round with a 6-2 5-7 6-4 win over Italy’s Camila Giorgi.
The second-seeded Spaniard – runner-up to Serena Williams last year – goes on to face Slovakian qualifier Jana Cepelova.
Former world No 1 Ana Ivanovic was knocked out, losing 6-2 7-5 to Russian qualifier Ekaterina Alexandrova, ranked 223rd in the world.
Ivanovic said she was suffering a right wrist injury and would not play again until the Rio Olympics.
Fourth-seeded Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber eased past Britain’s Laura Robson 6-2 6-2.