WIMBLEDON, England: The new roof wasn’t tested. Roger Federer was – briefly.
The retractable roof stayed opened yesterday for the opening match on Center Court at Wimbledon, and Federer fell behind early before charging past Lu Yen-Hsun of Taiwan, 7-5, 6-3, 6-2.
Federer failed to convert his first four break-point chances, then lost serve to trail 3-2. But he immediately broke back, broke again in the final game of the first set and dominated from there.
Bidding for his sixth Wimbledon title, Federer won for the 41st time in his past 42 matches at the All England Club. The lone loss came in last year’s final to Rafael Nadal, a match hailed by some as the sport’s best ever.
Play began in cloudy but dry weather. When it rains, the translucent roof on the 87-year-old stadium will be closed so the match can continue.
Maria Sharapova, the 2004 champion, rallied by winning the final four games of the first set and beat qualifier Viktoriya Kutuzova 7-5, 6-4. Sharapova, making a comeback from shoulder surgery last October, saved a set point in the opening set with a forehand winner and later shook off two spills behind the baseline.
The first seeded player to lose was No 17 James Blake, who was beaten by Andreas Seppi 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 (5). Blake failed to convert a set point in the third set and squandered a 5-love lead in the tiebreaker.
Blake also lost in the first round at the French Open last month.
Federer emerged sporting a sleek new white warmup outfit with gold trim that included a jacket with a turned-up collar, a vest, slacks and two-toned shoes. The crowd roared when he walked onto the court, and he responded with a wave and smile. There were more cheers – and a few whistles of approval – when he removed his jacket to reveal the vest.
By the time the match started, Federer had stripped down to shorts and a short-sleeve shirt. He was given the honor of playing first on Centre Court after defending men’s champion Nadal withdrew Friday because of sore knees.
The No 2-seeded Federer is a strong favorite to win a record-breaking 15th major title.
Like Federer, Venus Williams is also looking for a sixth Wimbledon title.
When Williams first played here in 1997, Wimbledon had a much different look, and not only because there’s now a retractable roof. The field looked much different, too – none of the 16 women to reach the fourth round is still active.
Williams, who was then 17, lost in the opening round. This year, at 29, she’s the oldest player in the top 10 and the tournament favorite, seeking her third Wimbledon title in a row.
“In previous years I have had just a great feeling at this tournament,” Williams said on Sunday. “And I’m looking forward to having that feeling again.”
Also yesterday, China’s Zheng Jie, last year’s surprising semifinalist, reached the second round after beating Kristina Barrois of Germany 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4).
Zheng, the 16th seed, will take on Slovakia’s Daniela Hantuchova in the second round.