Seven-time champion and third seed Roger Federer survived a serious fight from Guido Pella in his 2016 Wimbledon opener, wearing down the Argentine in just over two hours. Pella hung with Federer on serve for the first two sets, but in the end, could not hold on and Federer stole a 7-6(5), 7-6(3), 6-3 victory.

Federer edges serving battle in tiebreak

On serve, Federer showed no signs of rust after having not played a Grand Slam level match in nearly six months, holding with ease throughout the opening set. However, he was unable to get very much going on his return, as Pella matched him shot for shot on serve. The Swiss would have the first chances to break in the match in the eighth game when he raced ahead 15-40. But Pella was up to the task, forcing errors on both and going on to hold.

Federer hits a volley during his first round win. Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Federer hits a volley during his first round win. Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Those missed opportunities would be the only break points of the set so a tiebreak was required to decide the opener. The Swiss got off to a perfect start, stealing Pella first two service points and racing to a 3-0 lead. He would give one of the minibreaks back but still had the edge and would soon reclaim it, finding himself serving for the set at 5-2. A forehand volley gave him four set points but Federer would struggle to close out the breaker. Pella mounted a late charge, saving the first three set points before Federer finally hit a forehand winner to seal the opener.

Pella unbreakable, but Federer takes another tiebreak

Federer came into the second set looking for an early advantage. In an epic opening game on Pella’s serve, the Swiss immediately raced ahead 15-40, only for Pella to save both break points. Pella would fail to convert two break points before being forced to save another break point. A fourth break point of the game would come and go for Federer before Pella finally converted his fourth game point to earn a tough hold.

Federer reaches for a low backhand. Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Federer reaches for a low backhand. Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

The Argentine would have to battle through another deuce game in the fifth game. In the ninth game, Federer had another 15-40 lead but again failed to convert his chances. The rest of the set would go with serve and another tiebreak was required. In the tiebreak, Pella sent a forehand long on the first point to give Federer an immediate minibreak lead, which he would stretch to 4-0, claiming a second minibreak with a perfect backhand passing shot down the line. Just like the first set, he reached quadruple set point at 6-2. This time, he only needed two as a Pella forehand hit the net to give Federer a two-sets-to-love lead.

Federer breaks through late to seal victory

After both men had routine holds to start the third set, Pella had the first glimpse when he grabbed a 0-30 lead on his opponent’s serve. But Federer was up to the task, reeling off four straight points for the hold. At 3-4, the Swiss had yet another double break opportunity. Finally, after two hours, Federer finally converted a break point, ripping a forehand winner down the line to give himself an opportunity to serve for the match. The seven-time champion made no mistake, holding to love and closing out the win with an ace.

By the Numbers

Even though he struggled to find the breakthrough on his return, Federer was never in trouble in the match mainly due to his dominant serving performance. He only lost seven points on his first serve, good enough for 88 percent, hit 12 aces and did not face a break point in the match. In the end, he won 80 percent of his service points. As has been a problem throughout his career, he struggled on break point conversions, only managing one of nine. Federer has a massive advantage in the winners department, hitting 51 to Pella’s 23. The Swiss was also deadly at the net, winning 34 of those 42 points.

In the second round, Federer will face the surprise of the tournament so far, world number 772 Marcus Willis of Great Britain. 

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About the author
Pete Borkowski
Tennis has always been my obsession. What better way to channel that obsession than writing about it? After 18 months of blogging with Sportsblog.com as the writer of A Fan Obsesseds blog, all the while completing my Bachelors in history and French, I joined VAVEL so that I can better share my love and knowledge of tennis with the world.