LONDON, (SATSports) – Roger Federer survived Adrian Mannarino to get his quest for a record extending ninth Wimbledon title off the mark. It was not the way anyone would want to win a match as a fall by Mannarino forced him to retire from the match while locked in at 2-2 in sets, handing Roger a 6-4, 6-7 (3), 3-6, 6-2 match win.
Despite showing signs of rustiness, missing 54% of his first serves and converting just 1 of 6 break points, Federer managed to secure the first set to get his campaign up and running.
Mannarino’s serve and backhand were crucial in the second set, playing an incredibly high level of tennis on crucial points and finding angles when he needed them the most. He then forced a tie breaker, which he played phenomenally, point by point, staying in the moment to give Federer something to think about on his game plan as he bagged it 7-3, levelling the match at 1-1 in sets.
The 33 year old Frenchman was one of 22 men on the draw to have won at least one tour level grass court title and he was giving the best player grass has seen a hard time by maintaining a high level of tennis in the third set. After trading breaks early in the third, Mannarino struck again for 4-2 lead and then kept his unforced errors low while maintaining a high serve winspercentage on his way to sealing a 2-1 set advantage.
The eight time champion, Federer was up to the task in the fourth set as he cruised to a 3-0 lead, fighting hard to stay in the competition where he has seen the most success. It was a sad scene at 4-2 as Mannarino fell down, received treatment but still looked in great discomfort after, he managed to get on his feet and hand the fourth set to Roger but eventually retired, fortunate for the 2019 finalist who was in serious trouble.
The former world number 1 will have to improve his performances if he plans to go deep in the championships this year after an uncharacteristic 45 unforced errors, 61 percent serves in and a shocking 4/13 break points won in his opener. He even felt his opponent was the better player, saying “He was the better player, he could have won, I got a bit lucky,” in his post-match interview
The 39 year old, however broke yet another record when he stepped out on court for his 22nd Wimbledon appearance, making it the most participations at a single major event by any player. Federer looks to go deep again at SW19, after dropping out of the Roland Garros round of 16 to focus on the grass season, which he said that’s when his season really starts.
