Wimbledon 2018: Roger Federer shows new look, familiar dominance

Lajovic held serve in the opening game but that was as good as it got for the 58th-ranked Serb. Federer reeled off the next nine games to take charge and was in cruise control for the rest of the match.

The 36-year-old Swiss star never faced a break point and showed off the full repertoire of shots that has made him the most successful male player at Wimbledon.

The only things unfamiliar about Federer were his clothes. He wore a Uniqlo outfit for the first time after ending his career-long apparel partnership with Nike. But it clearly had no effect on his game.

“Felt right at home again, so that was a really nice feeling,” he said. “I got the early break in each set and then was able to bring it home. I’m really happy with my focus as well, point-for-point mentality.”

Federer is looking for a record-extending ninth title at the All England Club but only needed to step onto the court to create a bit more history. He is the first man in the Open era to play in the grass-court Grand Slam for a 20th straight year.

Before stepping off the court, he gave his headband to a young female fan in the crowd _ and joked he could be giving away a lot more before the fortnight is over.

The girl had held up a sign saying, “Can I have your headband pleeease!!”, and a post-match interviewer pointed out that Federer could expect more requests in coming matches after fulfilling her wishes.

And he’s apparently ready to oblige.

“Yes, they want a watch, a car, a racket, a shirt, they can have it all at this point,” Federer said.

Last year’s runner-up Marin Cilic also advanced easily with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 win over Japanese player Yoshihito Nishioka.

The third-seeded Croatian hit 21 aces and a total of 44 winners _ compared to one ace and six winners for Nishioka _ to complete victory in 1 hour, 46 minutes.

American Sam Querrey, who lost to Cilic in the semifinals last year, had a similarly comfortable start as he beat Jordan Thompson of Australia 6-2, 6-4, 6-3.

In women’s play, U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens became the first contender to go out as she lost 6-1, 6-3 to Donna Vekic of Croatia.

The fourth-seeded Stephens produced an error-strewn display on No. 1 Court as she exited in the opening round for a second consecutive year.

Having backed up her 2017 U.S. Open triumph by reaching the French Open final last month, Stephens was considered a title hopeful.

Last year’s semifinalist Magdalena Rybarikova also exited, losing 7-5, 6-3 to Sorana Cirstea of Romania.

Halle champion Coric falls flat at Wimbledon

Croatian Borna Coric had every reason to believe his woeful Wimbledon record was about to change for the better when he arrived at the All England Club on Monday.

Instead it was a familiar tale of woe for the 21-year-old 16th seed as he was outplayed in the first round by Russian Daniil Medvedev 7-6(6) 6-2 6-2.

Coric beat eight-times Wimbledon champion Roger Federer to win the Halle title in the build-up to the year’s third Grand Slam — a result that reverberated around the tennis world.

But after failing to convert a set point in the opener he faded away to a fourth defeat in five Wimbledon matches.

“He was much the better player today,” Coric, the first of the men’s top 16 seeds to tumble, told reporters.

“But I knew it was going to be tough because I learned by now that this is tennis and one week can be great; another one can be a disaster like now.”

Coric said the Wimbledon grass is not the same as the lawns in Halle.

“It’s completely different conditions,” he said. “Someone told me I could play Federer in the fourth round here but I didn’t even look beyond the first round.

“The grass is definitely a little bit different (to Halle). I was really struggling to move today. It was really windy. I didn’t find it very enjoyable.

“If I get that first set, it could turn around a little bit. But then after that, my level just really dropped.”

Despite the defeat Coric said it had still been a positive grasscourt season after winning only his second career title in Halle.
“If somebody said I’m going to do 500 points on the grass, I would sign up. So I cannot complain,” he said.

Wawrinka secures comeback win over sixth seed Dimitrov

Three-times Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka returned to the big stage in style on Monday, ousting sixth seed Grigor Dimitrov 1-6 7-6(3) 7-6(5) 6-4 on Centre Court at Wimbledon.

The Swiss, whose ranking had dropped to 225 after a knee injury, fought a stubborn and determined match from the baseline to down the 27-year-old Bulgarian, who appeared beset by first-round nerves.

It was a tough draw for Dimitrov but it looked like being a straightforward task for the 27-year-old Bulgarian after he wrapped up the first set in less than half an hour.

Wawrinka is nothing if not tenacious, however, and he fought for every point, becoming more and more comfortable as the match went on.

By contrast Dimitrov became more tense and inconsistent. He failed to convert two set points in the second set and that appeared to knock his confidence, allowing Wawrinka back into the match.

Dimitrov suffered again at the end of the third set. After breaking serve early, he dropped his own while serving for the set. John McEnroe, who was commentating, described it as choking.

Wawrinka’s long experience paid off in the two tiebreaks. The 33-year-old, who has won every Grand Slam but Wimbledon, was steady and cool, sending down rasping groundstrokes from both sides of the court.

His intensity and focus continued into the fourth set, which he captured on Dimitrov’s serve when the Bulgarian could only tip a powerful return into the net.

“My goal was to really fight and focus on my game,” Wawrinka said. “Mentally it was a big surprise to fight so well after losing the first set.”

The Swiss said his knee had held up well but he was sure he would be tired after the match which lasted two hours 45 minutes.

“I will do everything to be ready for the next round,” said Wawrinka, who will now face Italian qualifier Thomas Fabbiano. “I’m looking forward to it.”