Rd. 1 Federer

Wimbledon started yesterday and I thought it was but fitting that Federer open the tour with his first round match against, the unheralded, Alejandro Falla, seeded no. 60. Falla has lost all his meetings against Federer not even winning a single set versus the greatest player. Everyone thought Federer would just breeze through his first round match and go straight on to his second. Nobody, i guess, even placed their bet on Falla, for everyone thought he was a sure loser.

With all the words said, what was done was different. Federer did win but Falla gave him a run out of his money. A thrilling five setter, the perfect match to open the tour 7-5 6-4 4-6 6-7 6-0. When Federer was two sets down, I couldn't help but wonder why such happened. What was going through the brains of the great champion? Was he over confident? nervous? excited? anxious? sick? Was it because Falla was a lefty? Whatever the reason was, I thank God for erasing all qualms Federer had come third set up until the final set. When Federer won the fourth set tiebreak at 7-1, I knew that it was Falla's end, and what more could I ask for to prove that I'm correct, a clean, 6-0 win in the fifth. Federer did beat Falla. Whew!

In my view, Falla did not play spectacular, Federer played unsteady. Only a few players recover back from a 2-0 lead and Federer once again braved the seas and sailed smoothly. He got through. Lucky win? Nah, he's just great.

ETC: Davydenko, Nole, Kim C., Henin, Venus, Andy R. and Hewitt all won their opening matches. Sour losers - Ivanovic, Cilic and Schiavone exit.