Realizing his potential, Roger Federer won two major titles and conquered the ATP throne in seven months between Wimbledon in 2003 and the Australian Open in 2004. With momentum, Federer went as far bout in Dubai, Indian Wells and Hamburg, distancing themselves from the field and defending the Halle title for the best possible preparation before Wimbledon.
Kicking off the event at the All England Club as champion for the first time, Federer made a dominant start against Alex Bogdanovic in 80 minutes. The second round brought another lower ranked player and the Swiss proved to be too strong again, dismantling Alejandro Falla with a score of 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 on June 24 in 54 minutes which was his fastest triumph at Wimbledon in completed games!
Serving at 75%, Roger Federer gave up 12 points in 11 games with service, without any break point and keeping the pressure on the other side of the field.
Falla was miles from those numbers, giving almost 60% of the points following the first serve and breaking seven times on eight occasions offered to Federer, thus ending his trip in the second round.
Roger closed the first game with an ace, winning a break with a 2-1 winning backhand and producing another a few games later after Alejandro’s volley error. The Swiss ensured the first game with a winning service at 5-1, staying on the same pace and opening the second set with another break after a forehand down the line.
The Colombian pulverized a forehand error at 2-4 to catch up, allowing Federer to grab the set with a winning smash a few minutes later. “I have to fight hard in the first set; the table was one-sided but he played well, forcing me to play great shots to make the difference.
I got off to a good start in the three sets and played consistent tennis throughout the game. It was probably my most comfortable major victory considering the result and the time we spent on the field.
However, he gave me nothing and I had to win this victory. It’s nice to hear people compare me to Pete Sampras but I still have to do a lot even to get close to him; it is too early for that.
During the delays because of the rain, I watched television, I followed the news, I played cards and I made sure to eat at the right time. My biggest rivals are Andy Roddick, Tim Henman and Lleyton Hewitt; they will be difficult to beat.
“Repeating the draw in the first round, Roger Federer saved the third set and sealed the deal with a 5-0 winning service, reaching the top in less than an hour and advancing into the final 32.
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