Wimbledon 2017 | Federer, Djokovic advance easily after opponents retire; Kerber through in straight sets

07/05/2017

Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic both entered into the next round of the Wimbledon without much hard work as their opponents retired hurt from their first round matches on Tuesday. World No.1 Angelique Kerber also reached the next round as she beat Irina Falconi 6-4, 6-4.

Federer bagged his record-breaking 85th match win at Wimbledon to enter into the second round as his Ukrainian opponent Alexandr Dolgopolov stopped the game in the second set because of an injury. At the end of the 43-minute match, Federer was in the lead with 6-3, 3-0. The 35-year-old also hit his 10,000th career ace in the eighth game of the first set.

"I felt like there was a bit of a letdown from the crowd. They couldn't believe that it happened again, exactly the same situation," said Federer as quoted by AFP.

"Everybody's got a chance to win Wimbledon and for me, it's no different. I already achieved my dream to be back here healthy. Now we'll see how far I can go," Federer added.

In the next round, the Swiss maestro will face Dusan Lajovic for a place in the last-32.

Yesterday, the same story had happened with the Novak Djokovic. Djokovic, a three-time champion at the All England Club, advanced to the second round at Wimbledon after just 40 minutes after his opponent, Martin Klizan, retired because of an injury while trailing 6-3, 2-0.

"He had issues walking on to court. I tried to focus on my game plan, I was serving well and when it mattered I made a break," said Djokovic, who will next face Adam Pavlacek of the Czech Republic in the second round.

In another match, Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro also advanced to the next level after beating Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 (2), 6-4.

In the round of 128, Milos Raonic defeated Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany 7-6 (5), 6-4, 7-6 (4).

In the women’s draw, currently world number 1 player Angelique Kerber beat Irina Falconi of the United States 6-4, 6-4. The German, who has not had deep runs in the Slams after her US Open triumph in 2016 will look to regain her form here.

Defending Champion Serena Williams is not participating in the 2017 Wimbledon as she prepares to give birth to her first child. Kerber, therefore, played in the spot on Centre Court which is normally reserved for the defending women's champion.

"I'm happy to be back, but this year is completely different for me. I'm just happy I'm through the first round," Kerber said.

World no. 3 Karolina Pliskova defeated Evgeniya Rodina 6-1, 6-4.

23-year-old Garbine Muguruza, the 14th seed, also thrashed Russia's Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-2, 6-4.

Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki, currently sixth in the rankings, won against Hungarian Tímea Babos 6-4, 4-6, 6-1.