Roger Races On, And There's No Rafa To Stop Him

When this year’s Wimbledon draw was confirmed last Friday Roger Federer may have felt a little hard done by, the prospect of having to beat all three of his biggest rivals back to back must have been a daunting thought, even for a seven time Champion.

However after yesterday’s astonishing events there may have been a fixed smile on the face of the seventeen times Grand Slam Champion. Not only was his own performance as immaculate and faultless as we are likely to see in the entire Championships, but perhaps more importantly for his chances of defending his title was the unforeseen exit of a certain Rafael Nadal.

Federer sets off on his title defence

If Federer wants to defend his beloved Wimbledon crown he is likely to have to overcome his younger rivals who threaten to break his record seventeen Slams. However after 6pm yesterday afternoon the Swiss knew his greatest nemesis Nadal would no longer be a factor, the Spaniard’s astonishing defeat to world number 135 Steve Darcis abruptly ended the talk of his 5^th seeding and a potential quarter final with Federer. 

  

Twelve months ago Federer released a huge statement to prove he still had a big say at the top of the game. He vividly rolled back the years conquering the new leaders at the head of men’s tennis in Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray to claim his first major in over a year, and he may have to do the same again this year.

Following a straight sets quarter final exit to Jo Wilfred Tsonga at the French Open two weeks ago Federer began his grass court session with an impressive title in Halle a week later. His preparation for Wimbledon couldn’t have gone better.   

 After his triumph last year Federer traditionally opened centre court proceedings, but not even he could have imaged how quick it would end. The secure elimination of 6 foot 6 Romanian Victor Hanescu lasted just 1hour 8 minutes. The 6-3 6-2 6-0 score line was as every bit as one sided as it suggests. The centre court crowd were treated to a dazzling Federer master class.

Seeded 3 in this year’s Championships (behind Djokovic and Murray) Federer made the perfect start, twice holding his serve to love while claiming a decisive break to cruise into a 3-0 lead.

Although Hanescu managed to keep the first set to a single break, its conclusion never looked in doubt. Federer’s game was in full flow, his elegance and class made the anticipated first round look like a practice session; all the same the crowd were experiencing a treat.

Federer dropped just one point on serve in the whole first set, his variety and accuracy made sure the Romanian never saw a chance to break back.

The signs were ominous for Hanescu, as Federer’s instinctive play forced more break points at the start of the second set; once again the third seed needed just one invitation to race into an early lead in emphatic fashion.

If Federer is to win an illustrious eighteenth Grand Slam, the grass of SW19 surely remains his best hope. The Swiss’ aggressive play led by his dominant forehand is still looks more than good enough to seize a record eight Wimbledon title.    

Despite his height Hanesu’s game did little to trouble Federer who was quickly neutralising the Romanian’s serve. A second break followed, as Federer ruthlessly made it 4-0, and when Hansecu finally worked his way to deuce on a Federer service game his hopes were quickly dashed by the Swiss.

There was no let up from Federer, as the unfortunate Hanescu was acting as a mere puppet to his opponent’s relentless show on centre court. Federer showed signs of experimenting with his game by approaching the net more in the third set, something which could come in use later in the tournament.

Federer said after the match that it was a “great first round and a chance the release some pressure” he also mentioned his victory in Halle a week ago which he believed came at the right time for him, as it was his first title of the year.

Elsewhere it was a dismal day for the British players as six were sent packing after first round defeats, only Andy Murray was victorious with a straight sets win over German Benjamin Becker. There were also wins for Jo Wilfred Tsonga and former champion Lleyton Hewitt, while in the Women’s draw Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka both progressed.     

But Federer’s performance was yet another statement that he is a match for anyone on the grass of Wimbledon, and with Nadal bowing out the Swiss’ odds of defending his title had almost halved by yesterday evening. Djokovic and Murray remain the favourites, but one thing’s for sure you can never right off a seventeen time Slam Champion.