Third seed Roger Federer moved into the second round of Wimbledon after Alexandr Dolgopolov retired with an ankle injury. The win was Federer’s 85th at the All-England Club, breaking a tie with Jimmy Connors for most all-time at the Championships.
The seven-time Wimbledon broke to start the match, some sharp returning producing the early lead. After a quick hold for a 2-0 lead, the Swiss was on the prowl again, holding a break point in the fifth game, but Dolgopolov produced a big serve to erase it and eventually hold.
Serving to stay in the set at 5-3 down, Dolgopolov double-faulted at 15-30 to bring up two set points for the third seed. After saving the first set point, a netted backhand gifted the set to the Swiss.
During the changeover between sets, Dolgopolov received treatment on his right ankle from the trainer, but was able to start the second set. He was able to get to deuce on Federer’s opening service game, but the Swiss held.
Federer would try to turn the tables quickly in the following game, again putting the Ukranian under pressure, taking a 0-30 lead on Dolgopolov’s serve, only for the Ukrainian to pull out some big shots to draw even. However, a missed forehand gave the Swiss a break point. Dolgopolov saved the break point with a big forehand winner. After hitting a volley long, a double fault on break point gave Federer a 2-0 lead.
A quick hold from the Swiss put him in front 3-0 and after Dolgopolov took a 30-15 lead on serve, he couldn’t chase down a Federer drop shot. That would be the last point played as the Ukranian proceeded to shake hands after 43 minutes of play.
With 10 aces, 18 winners and 78% of first serve points won, Federer looked sharp in the brief time he was on court. Doing nothing to dispel his status as favorite, the Swiss faces Serb Dusan Lajovic in the second round, a match that should prove to be of little trouble as Federer continues his quest for an eighth Wimbledon title.
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