Federer takes flight in time

London, July 2

Roger Federer set pulses racing for around 40 minutes today as Wimbledon debutant Lloyd Harris threatened to overthrow the established order before eventually succumbing to a 3-6 6-1 6-2 6-2 first round defeat.

Contesting his 108th match at the All England Club, the eight-time champion had been expected to ease to his 96th win at the grasscourt Major considering he was facing an opponent who had yet to win a match on the green stuff.

However, the South African, wearing a back-to-front baseball cap, came out swinging to break the mighty Federer serve in the sixth game and held on to the advantage to seal the first set when the Swiss swiped a backhand long.

When Federer fired a double fault in the first game of the second set and followed that up by netting an easy volley, the gasps grew louder on Centre Court.

But if Harris harboured any hopes that this might be the day when he will embark on a journey that would allow him to emulate the 1951 feat of American Dick Savitt, who was the last man to win the Challenge Cup on his Wimbledon debut, his dreams were crushed brutally over the next three sets.

Rafa sets up Kyrgios clash

Rafael Nadal recovered from an initial hiccup to claim a dominant 6-3 6-1 6-3 win against Japan’s Yuichi Sugita. Apart from the smattering of Japanese fans cheering on their 30-year-old countryman, it was the result that 99.9% of the people following the Championships desired as it sets up an intriguing second-round tussle between Nadal and Nick Kyrgios. The pair have traded barbs this year with Nadal accusing Australian maverick Kyrgios of disrespect after losing to him in Acapulco while Kyrgios described the 18-time Grand Slam champion as being “super salty” in defeat. “I’m too old for all that stuff,” he said after coming off court. “Too many years on the tour. What I said, I said. I’m not a guy who will be in a fight with anybody. I will keep doing things I love. After tomorrow I will be back in this amazing place.” — Reuters

Day 2: Highlights

BARTY, KERBER WIN

French Open champion Ashleigh Barty wasted little time getting into top gear as she powered past China’s Zheng Saisai 6-4 6-2. Defending champion Angelique Kerber also proved too strong for compatriot Tatjana Maria, winning 6-4 6-3.

NIFTY NISHIKORI

Japan’s Kei Nishikori, seeded eighth, overcame Brazilian qualifier Thiago Monteiro 6-4 7-6(3) 6-4. Australia’s Alex De Minaur swatted aside Italy’s Marco Cecchinato 6-0 6-4 7-6(5), while Steve Johnson beat Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-4 6-2 6-3.

Stephens slays

American ninth seed Sloane Stephens, who had crashed out in the opening round in the previous two years, breezed past Switzerland’s Timea Bacsinszky 6-2 6-4.

Serena made to fight

Serena Williams ended the match screaming in delight to a 6-2 7-5 win as she finally suppressed Giulia Gatto-Monticone having been dragged into an unlikely dogfight by the world No. 161.

Sharapova retires

Maria Sharapova was trailing 4-6 7-6(4) 5-0 to Pauline Parmentier of France when she retired injured.

MUGURUZA STUNNED

Spain’s Garbine Muguruza, the 2017 champion, lost 6-4 6-4 to Beatriz Haddad Maia. Brazilian Haddad Maia fired seven aces and 20 winners en route to victory.

Unstoppable Konta

Britain’s Johanna Konta produced a solid performance to defeat Ana Bogdan 7-5 6-2 and set up a second round encounter with Katerina Siniakova.

Thiem tamed

Fifth seed Dominic Thiem, runner-up at the French Open, crashed out in the first round after having to retire at the same stage last year, losing 6-7(4)  7-6(1) 6-3 6-0 to American Sam Querrey.

BLISTERING TSONGA 

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga won the shortest men’s singles match at Wimbledon since 2004, breezing past Australia’s Bernard Tomic 6-2 6-1 6-4 in 58 minutes.

Bad boy Kyrgios becomes Wimbledon’s new darling

Wimbledon has a new hero and, of all people, it is Nick Kyrgios, after the incredible sulk transformed himself into the Clown Prince during a hugely entertaining five-set victory over fellow Australian Jordan Thompson. They had queued early to see Kyrgios, many no doubt hoping for some fireworks from a player who has the longest rap sheet in the game. But by the time he triumphed 7-6 (4) 

3-6 7-6(10) 0-6 6-1 in an extraordinary contest, they were putty in his hands. Only once did he lose his cool and belt a ball into the sky while chuntering about a bad call. The rest of the time he was more reminiscent of Henri Laconte playing an exhibition match — both in terms of crowd interaction and shot choice. He must have played 30 drop shots, despite almost every one of them failing to yield a point. He threw in a bewildering array of slices and dices amid more conventional ground strokes and serves of immense power. He somehow lost the fourth set to love in 18 minutes — less time than he took to win a marathon 12-10 tie break in the third. He served a 120 mph ace on second serve on game point at 4-5 down in the first set. There was the mandatory under-arm serve, a half-court lap of honour after winning a key point in a tie-break, repeated collapses to the floor in mock — or perhaps real — exhaustion. His reward is a potentially mouth-watering second-round clash with Rafa Nadal, the third-seeded Spaniard he has described as “super salty”, in a match that will severely test the allegiance of the Wimbledon fans.

Will she, won’t she? Murray waiting

Andy Murray wants it, the British fans are desperate for it and the media are working themselves into a frenzy about it but the big question is, will Serena Williams say yes? Ever since home hero Murray announced he planned to play the mixed as well as men’s doubles at his first Wimbledon for two years, speculation has grown about who would partner him. American great Williams, who is bidding for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title this year, said at the weekend that she was “available” but would see how her troublesome knee was doing before committing. Murray said the 37-year-old mum would be a “solid” partner when asked whether it would happen. The deadline for entries to the mixed doubles is Wednesday and Murray left the tantalising prospect of a ‘dream-team’ lineup with American Williams hanging when asked on Monday whether he had got any closer to confirming his partner. “Possibly,” the 32-year-old said, when asked if he had got the green light from Williams. “But I want to make sure before I say anything. I will know for sure (on Wednesday).” Williams might well be tempted to enter the mixed doubles at a Grand Slam for the first time since partnering Bob Bryan at the 2012 French Open. Williams has won 16 Grand Slam doubles titles, including the 1998 mixed at Wimbledon with Max Mirnyi. She is not playing in the women’s doubles. Reuters