Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic endured torrid first-round matches on Monday, but both came through their respective assignments yesterday with greater assurance.
Any thoughts Djokovic might have had that his Serbian compatriot, Ilija Bozoljac, would remove Federer from his half of the draw came to nothing when the six-times champion prevailed in four sets. Although Federer trailed by a break in the third set, with the first two shared, he asserted himself to win 6-3, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6.
It was a better display from Federer, who had stared defeat in the face against Alejandro Falla on Monday. “I’m happy with the way it went today,” he said. “I was coming off a five-setter, which is never easy because a lot of pressure builds up, but I came out of it feeling good.”
Nevertheless, his free-swinging opponent, who came through the qualifying competition, gave the No 1 seed some anxious moments. “These young guys are tough,” Federer said. “Bozoljac may not have much of a ranking but he can produce it on any given day. I thought he served amazingly well. Even though I was never broken. I’ll take the four sets any day.”
Federer next plays Arnaud Clément, the Frenchman who defeated Peter Luczak, of Australia, in four sets.
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Djokovic was more assured in his straight-sets triumph over Taylor Dent, of the United States, in the wake of his five-set epic under the closed Centre Court roof on Monday night. After a tight opening set, Djokovic sailed through to claim his place in the third round 7-6, 6-1, 6-4.
Lleyton Hewitt, the 1992 champion, arrived here in prime shape after his recent defeat of Federer in the final in Halle, Germany, to win his 26th career title. The Australian duly followed up a grinding opening-round victory by dismissing Evgeny Korolev, of Kazakhstan, who retired during the third set with a leg injury.
One player who might have expected a longer stay in SW19 was Mardy Fish, of the United States. Fish played outstanding grass-court tennis en route to reaching the final at Queen’s Club 11 days ago, but he proved no match for Florian Mayer, of Germany.
Nikolay Davydenko was also knocked out. The Russian became the highest seed to depart when he was beaten in four sets by Daniel Brands, the world No 98. The No 7 seed won the opening set, but the 22-year-old German triumphed 1-6, 7-6, 7-6, 6-1. Davydenko had missed three months of the season with a wrist injury before returning in Halle a fortnight ago.
Fallen men’s seeds
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First round: 8, Fernando Verdasco; 11, Marin Cilic; 14, Juan Carlos Ferrero; 17, Ivan Ljubicic; 19, Nicolás Almagro; 20, Stanislas Wawrinka; 24, Marcos Baghdatis; 30, Tommy Robredo. Second round: 7, Nikolay Davydenko