Federer’s Win Opens Bid for Sixth Straight Wimbledon Title

WIMBLEDON, England — Returning to his favorite stage and resuming his dominant ways on grass, Roger Federer started his bid for a sixth straight Wimbledon title today by sweeping Dominik Hrbaty in straight sets on a sunbathed Centre Court.In keeping with tradition, Mr. Federer had the honor of opening play on the main stadium court as defending champion at the 122nd Wimbledon championships. He seemed right at home as he beat Mr. Hrbaty 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 for his 60th straight grass-court win and 35th consecutive victory at the All England Club.“I played well. It was a good match against a good friend of mine,” Mr. Federer said. “I was consistent all the way throughout. I didn’t have to face a break point. It’s good, but never easy to open Centre Court, but it’s a real honor.”A few minutes before Mr. Federer closed out his match, two-time women’s champion Serena Williams completed a harder-than-expected 7-5, 6-3 win on Court 1 over Kaia Kanepi of Estonia.Following Mr. Federer on Centre Court was top-seeded woman Ana Ivanovic, who beat Rossana de Los Rios of Paraguay 6-1, 6-2 in less than an hour in her first match since winning the French Open and taking over the No. 1 ranking. The Serbian player never faced a break point and ripped 13 baseline winners.Mr. Federer, who loves the traditions of the game, walked onto Centre Court at 1 p.m. in retro fashion — donning a herringbone-pattern, four-button cardigan with gold trim and a stylized F on a badge on his left chest. The insignia on the buttons represent his five Wimbledon titles.Mr. Federer had worn classic white blazers at the last two Wimbledons.“I thought two jackets was enough,” he said. “Let’s move on to something different. We thought about something nice, like a cardigan, a jumper. I think the result is nice.”Mr. Federer warmed up wearing the cardigan for a few minutes, then took it off and got down to business. He won the first 11 points of the match, setting the tone for a trouble-free, one-sided match.“Every time you walk out (on Centre Court) it’s beautiful,” Mr. Federer said. “I mean the grass is beautiful. The grass is perfect. You really feel like nobody has really walked on it. It felt very special again.”30-year-old Mr. Hrbaty, playing his 12th Wimbledon, had beaten Mr. Federer in their only two previous meetings — in 2000 and 2004. But the Slovakian player, who had elbow surgery last year, has slipped to No. 273 in the rankings and had won only two matches this year on the top-tier tour.There were some light moments in the match. In the sixth game of the first set, Mr. Hrbaty ran down a lob and, with his back to the net, flipped a reverse shot down the line past a startled Mr. Federer. As Mr. Hrbaty ran across the court with hands raised in celebration, Federer smiled and clapped his racket.“He hit the shot of the match behind his back,” Mr. Federer said.In the final changeover at 5-2 in the third, Mr. Hrbaty — realizing it could be his last time on Centre Court — sat in a chair alongside Federer and the two chatted and laughed.“I looked over and there he was,” Mr. Federer said. “He asked if he could sit next to me. I said, ‘Sure. No problem. There’s an extra seat.'”The two are longtime friends and former practice and doubles partners.“He said it might be his last Wimbledon, so it was almost a little bit emotional,” Mr. Federer said. “It was quite nice he did that. It was nice to share that moment on Centre Court together.”Mr. Hrbaty paid tribute to the champion.“I just wanted to tell him he’s a great friend of mine and I appreciate that,” he said.Mr. Federer will next face big-serving Swede Robin Soderling, who beat Kevin Kim of America 7-5, 0-6, 6-3, 6-4.“Robin is a dangerous player,” Mr. Federer said. “It’s not a whole lot of fun playing against him in the second round of Wimbledon already. I won’t underestimate him, that’s for sure.”In other men’s matches, 10th seeded Marcos Baghdatis — a semifinalist in 2006 and quarterfinalist last year — moved into the second round by beating Steve Darcis of Belgium, 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-3.Also playing on Centre Court on Monday was No. 3 Novak Djokovic against Michael Berrer.On Court 1, Ms. Williams made a fashion statement of her own. She came on wearing a white belted, thigh-length raincoat, or Mackintosh. But there was no rain in sight, so she hung the jacket on her chair. Ms. Kanepi, meanwhile, wore dark sunglasses throughout the match.“You know, I absolutely love trench coats,” Ms. Williams said. “Now I have a wonderful white coat I can wear on the court and also in New York for those rainy days. … It’s ladylike and goes perfect with my personality. It’s very light. It’s just delectable.”Ms. Williams, whose Wimbledon wins in 2002 and ’03 are among her eight major titles, struggled in the first set. She fended off five break points against the French Open quarterfinalist.The turning point came at 5-5 when Ms. Kanepi had a break point for 6-5. Ms. Williams attacked and put away a forehand volley smash, letting out a shout and pumping her fist. She held serve and Ms. Kanepi double faulted on set point in the next game. Ms. Williams was in command throughout the second set.Mr. Federer is trying to become only the second player to win six straight titles. That would equal the record established by William Renshaw, the champion in 1881-86, who only had to win one match to defend his titles.Since the early 1900s, Mr. Federer and Bjorn Borg (1976-80) are the only men to win Wimbledon five times in a row.26-year-old Mr. Federer has struggled in recent months. He lost in the semifinals of the Australian Open to Djokovic and endured his most lopsided Grand Slam defeat in the French Open final two weeks ago, winning only four games against Rafael Nadal.Mr. Federer has won 12 Grand Slam championships, two shy of Pete Sampras’ record. With five Wimbledon titles, Mr. Federer has a chance to match the record of seven shared by Mr. Sampras and Mr. Renshaw.Defending women’s champion Venus Williams begins a bid for her fifth Wimbledon title Tuesday against wild card entry Naomi Cavaday of Britain.

Federer’s Win Opens Bid for Sixth Straight Wimbledon Title

Federer’s Win Opens Bid for Sixth Straight Wimbledon Title

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