Easy passages for big guns

Djokovic and Federer’s rivals fail to last distance

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer found it all too easy as they stumbled upon a pair of retiring types at Wimbledon.

Many spectators on Centre Court who felt they had hit the jackpot with backto-back first-round matches involving the multiple champions were instead left feeling short-changed.

Three-time champion Djokovic was 6-3 2-0 ahead of Martin Klizan when the Slovakian decided he had seen enough of the main show court. Klizan has been troubled recently by a left calf problem.

Federer was 6-3 3-0 clear of Alexandr Dolgopolov when the Ukrainian pulled out of the challenge of taking down the seven-time title winner.

It meant the crowd saw less than an hour-and-a- half of action across the two matches, and Djokovic even suggested he and Federer briefly considered playing an exhibition set for the unlucky fans. Instead, an extra women’s singles match featuring Caroline Wozniacki was added to the Centre Court bill.

Reacting to the peculiar turn of events, Djokovic said: “It’s really odd that Roger’s result and my result were more or less the same.

“We had a little joke about it in the locker room, saying we should maybe play a practice set on the Centre Court, have the crowd stay.

“It doesn’t happen often really. This tournament has a special place in players’ careers. In this sport, there’s so much weight behind it and significance

I’m sure they tried their best, but it is what it is. NOVaK DJOKOVIC

about it. The aura of Wimbledon has probably always been the strongest of any other tournament.

“I’m sure that most of the players on the tour, if not all, feel that. Especially if you walk out on the Centre Court, there is a responsibility. I’m sure they tried their best, but it is what it is.”

There was a more demanding test posed of Milos Raonic as last year’s beaten finalist began his challenge.

The Canadian had never played JanLennard Struff before but was given a stiff test by the German before edging through 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 7-6 (7-4).

Raonic said: “I did a lot of good things today, especially from the attitude side.

“In the tough moments, that makes the things a little bit easier. Just to have that right attitude, then the rest of the game will follow.”

Juan Martin del Potro could face Djokovic in the third round, and the Argentinian showed early resilience in fending off Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-3 3-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 on Court Two.

“I think I played a good match, to be my first match on grass after a long time,” Del Potro said. I’m looking forward to playing better in the second round.”

Two-time former Wimbledon semifinalist Richard Gasquet slipped out of the tournament, losing 6-3 6-4 5-7 6-2 in what always looked a tough challenge against Spanish veteran David Ferrer, who is unseeded this year but was ranked third in the world four years ago.

While 22nd seed Gasquet headed home, French compatriot Gael Monfils set up a clash with Great Britain’s Kyle Edmund by winning 6-3 7-5 6-4 against Germany’s Daniel Brands.

Klizan and Dolgopolov were two of seven men to withdraw during their first-round matches, with Viktor Troicki and Janko Tipsarevic both spending less than 20 minutes on court.

Queen’s champion Feliciano Lopez was also forced to retire, trailing two sets to one to Adrian Mannarino.

Those exiting at the opening stage of this year’s tournament will pocket £35,000, more than double the £14,500 offered five years ago.

Getty. Left: Roger Federer at full stretch during his match with Alexandr Dolgopolov; above: an injured Martin Klizan shows his frustration.