Djokovic, Federer Ease into Second Round as Gulbis Shocks Berdych

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Djokovic, Federer Ease into Second Round as Gulbis Shocks Berdych

By Erik Gudris

Photo Credit: Getty Images

(June 25th, 2012) Defending men's champion Novak Djokovic kicked off opening day at the 126th Wimbledon championships with a bit of his trademark humor before settling into a straight sets victory over his first round opponent Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain.

After suffering an early break of serve to start the match, Djokovic quickly found his game and eventually took the first set 6-3. Djokovic and Ferrero shared some excellent rallies during the second set, but it was Djokovic on his fifth set point who broke the former No. 1 once again to take the set and from there Djokovic cruised to a 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 win.

Djokovic will next meet American Ryan Harrison who defeated Yen-Hsun Lu. 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

No. 3 seed despite being placed on Court 1 had no trouble against another Spainard in Albert Ramos as Federer hit nine aces and 33 winners to roll to a 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 win in just over an hour.

No. 8 seed Janko Tipsarevic played some of his best tennis all year against David Nalbandian who received a polite response from the crowd on hand at Court 1 as the Argentine took the court a week after his well-publicized kicking incident at Queen's Club. Despite a close second set, it was Tipsarevic who prevailed 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-2.

But two big upsets within Djokovic and Federer's section of the draw certainly opened up things for both men. The biggest shock belonged to unseeded Ernests Gulbis who had only won six matches all year going to his match against No. 6 seed Tomas Berdych. But on the strength of an improved forehand and 30 aces, Gulbis outlasted the former finalist 7-6(5), 7-6(4), 7-6(4).

Alejandro Falla, who nearly upset Federer in the first round a few years ago, came good today as he battled No. 11 seed John Isner. After dropping the first set, Isner rallied to force a final five set but Falla broke the American's serve in the final game to seize a 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-3, 6-7(9), 7-5 win.

Tomorrow's action will see the return of No. 2 seed Rafael Nadal as he faces Thomaz Bellucci, Andy Murray against Russia's Nikolay Davydenko and Andy Roddick, fresh off of his title run in Eastbourne, who will take on another Brit in Jaime Baker.