Luck teamed up with Roger Federer on Tuesday, although it is clear that he is one of the tennis players who most deserve it. The Swiss had a terrible time against Adrian Mannarino, which put him against the ropes by going ahead by two sets to one, when the Frenchman suffered a spectacular fall in the final part of the fourth set that forced him to retire later with problems in his right knee. He was on his way to making the game of his life against one of the best in history (he had not achieved it in his six previous duels), but his illusions were truncated, while the eight-time Wimbledon champion, saddened by what he had happened to his partner, at the same time, he breathed in relief. Thus, Federer (39 years old) won 6-4, 6-7 (3), 3-6 and 6-2 in 2:44 and in the second round he will face another Frenchman, Richard Gasquet.
For a few minutes, the ghost of a possible elimination at the first exchange rate that the Swiss have not had to regret since Roland Garros in 2004 flew over the All England center. In fact, it has only happened to him five times throughout his career, two in the French tournament and, curiously, another three in the British one, although all of them were in the first six years of his career, between 1999 and 2004. Roger had been agile, fine and fast in the first set, with movements that invited optimism. However, in the next two it was gradually diluted, while the game of a Mannarino (33 years and 41st in the world) grew, who has only won one title in his career, and it was on grass (Hertogenbosch 2019).
Our heart goes out to you, @AdrianMannarino – it was a performance to be proud of and we wish you a speedy recovery#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/0uREBcRcrc
– Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 29, 2021
Confident, consistent and with a solid and precise strike, the Frenchman handcuffed an unanswered Federer, who reacted to avoid the debacle in a fourth set that he clearly dominated when the unfortunate fall of his opponent came. Lawn stuff. “I feel like it’s a bit more slippery under the roof. I don’t know, if it’s just a feeling, but you have to be very careful. If you go too hard at the wrong time you can go to the ground,” said the Swiss at a press conference . The Basel player was aggressive and served well (54 winners, 16 aces), but also missed more than necessary (45 unforced errors). Much will have to improve if he wants to go far this year in his favorite tournament, especially in confidence and control of the situation. His enormous quality pushes him in situations like the ones he experienced this Tuesday and could have even won against a healthy Mannarino.
“I don’t think I feel more pressure”
Another thing will be when the first curves arrive, before real opponents. There you will have to get closer to your best version if you want to prolong the magic. “I think this has been more about what is a first round in tennis, especially here at Wimbledon. I don’t think I feel a greater pressure. You may think it is one of my last Grand Slam, but nobody knows, not even I know. For me it has only been one more first round match, which always has pressure in my opinion, “he explained.
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