By STEVEN WINE, AP
June 24, 2008
WIMBLEDON - Wimbledon began with a few surprises yesterday. There was lots of sunshine, Serena Williams wore a raincoat anyway, and Roger Federer's changeover routine was interrupted by a friendly visit from his opponent.
The tennis went mostly as expected. Federer, Williams and new women's No. 1 Ana Ivanovic won in straight sets. Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic also eased into the second round, while American men went 1-4.
The top-ranked Federer began his bid for a sixth consecutive Wimbledon title by winning the first match on Centre Court. Sporting a classy cardigan, he stepped onto the fresh grass promptly at 1 p.m. and looked eager to dispel the notion he's in decline, winning the first 11 points and beating former doubles partner Dominik Hrbaty 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
Federer extended his grass-court winning streak to 60 matches, including 35 at the All England Club, and yet his continuing domination is in doubt because he struggled the first half of the year.
That might help explain his prematch jitters.
"I did feel all of a sudden a little pressure about two minutes before I went on court," Federer said. "I felt like, 'Wow, OK, here we go. Let's try to get off to a good start.' I did."
He looked as regal as ever in his warmup outfit, highlighted by a beige, four-button sweater with gold trim and a stylized F on the left breast.
But judging from postmatch interviews, Federer was upstaged on the fashion front - perhaps a further sign he's in decline. His apparel inspired only one question, while Williams fielded several about the stylish white trench coat she wore onto court before beating Kaia Kanepi 7-5, 6-3.
"I just love coats," Williams said. "I'm always buying Burberry coats. And I don't know why, because I live in Florida, so it doesn't really add up. Now I have a wonderful white coat I can wear on the court."
Kanepi, an Estonian who reached the French Open quarterfinals, takes lusty swings that often put two-time champion Williams on the defensive. But Williams endured the onslaught.
"Today definitely was not an easy match," Williams said. "She was playing unbelievable. I felt like she wasn't making any errors. I just felt like I just had to hang in."
Defending champion Venus Williams begins her bid for a fifth Wimbledon title today when she faces wild card Naomi Cavaday of Britain.
The highest-seeded player to lose was No. 7 David Nalbandian, eliminated by Canadian Frank Dancevic 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. Lleyton Hewitt, who beat Nalbandian in the 2002 final, fist-pumped his way to a five-set victory over Robin Haase. Two-time Grand Slam champion Marat Safin also won.
