Tennis

Federer begins with stroll past Russian

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-06-26 08:49

Roger Federer was up and running in his quest for a fifth consecutive Wimbledon singles title after a smooth 6-3 6-2 6-4 victory over Russian Teimuraz Gabashvili on Monday.

The Swiss world number one lit up a gloomy day on a Centre Court shorn of its roof, first by walking out wearing an immaculate blazer and matching trousers, then with the dazzling strokeplay that has written him into Wimbledon folklore.

Drizzle had delayed the start of the match for nearly two hours and there was rain in the air for much of a one-sided contest against a player making his Wimbledon debut.

Anxious to get the job done under leaden skies, the 25-year-old Federer produced a silky display against his 86th-ranked opponent, erasing any lingering doubts over his mind and body after a bruising French Open final defeat by Rafael Nadal earlier this month.

"I'll have to win the tournament to prove it was the right decision," Federer said of changing his pre-Wimbledon routine by missing the Halle grasscourt event.

"My body was hurting after the French. I'm not superstitious like other players, that's why I can take decisions like that.

"I'm recovered now. It takes about four, five or six days to get everything out of your system, all the little things that hurt a little bit."

Federer, who can match Swede Bjorn Borg's five successive titles this year, took a few games to find his range on an unfamiliar looking and chilly Centre Court.

Open to the elements because of the redevelopment that will provide a sliding roof for 2009, a gusting wind and damp turf initially produced a few miss-hit forehands from the Swiss.

"It was different," Federer said about the famous old court. "I definitely prefer the old one over this one right now but obviously it's a work in progress."

Federer is definitely the finished article, as he proved after breaking to lead 4-2 in the first set. From then on Gabashvili became nothing more than a willing practice partner as Federer unleashed a selection of his grasscourt armoury.

Every now and again Gabashvili, who has won just one Tour match on grass, flashed down a winner but Federer was unruffled, accelerating through the second set with a couple of breaks.

One more break at the start of the third set was sufficient for Federer to clinch a place in the second round.