Federer starts with military precision

Wimbledon begins;rain roof ready
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By Pritha Sarkar
LONDON (Reuters) - Roger Federer turned up at Wimbledon on Monday 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 honor of opening Center 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 honored. 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 Center 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. Continued...
Source: Reuters