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Serena shows raw emotion, Federer fires up
Source: Agencies |
June 22, 2011, Wednesday
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WIMBLEDON has come to expect fighting instincts and effortless power from Serena Williams but the raw tears she shed after beating Aravane Rezai yesterday betrayed just how much torment she has suffered since holding the trophy aloft last year.
Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Caroline Wozniacki, Maria Sharapova and Li Na made short work of their opponents and the John Isner against Nicolas Mahut re-match inevitably failed to live up to last year's epic so it was Williams who captivated the crowds in blustery conditions on Centre Court.
After crunching down an ace to earn a 6-3 3-6 6-1 win over tenacious Frenchwoman Rezai, defending champion Williams covered her face and wept before walking off to generous applause from a crowd delighted to see her back on the hallowed turf.
"I never dreamt I would be here right now," said the 29-year-old American, who only returned to action last week in Eastbourne after 49 weeks out with a foot injury and a pulmonary embolism that left her on her death bed.
"I just wanted to win just one match here seeing as I'm not playing doubles, it was just a really big win for me.
"It's been so hard and a disaster year for me, but I've been praying and I have my family here and I just love tennis," added 13-times grand slam champion, whose older sister Venus also won through on Monday after her own injury troubles.
Andy Roddick, another American who has become a favorite son in this leafy suburb of London courtesy of his three final defeats by Federer, also progressed to the second round by beating German qualifier Andreas Beck 6-4 7-6 6-3 on Court One.
His nemesis Federer battled the wind and the awkward serve of Kazakhstan's Mikhail Kukushkin to prevail 7-6 6-4 6-2 on Centre Court, his usual slew of breathtaking shots helping the fans forget the bracing chill.
"The first match at Wimbledon is never easy. I struggled to get enough returns in during the first set," said the Swiss third seed, who saw champion Rafa Nadal progress on Monday.
"It was tricky conditions, a lot of wind. It was really strange how the wind came in."
Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Caroline Wozniacki, Maria Sharapova and Li Na made short work of their opponents and the John Isner against Nicolas Mahut re-match inevitably failed to live up to last year's epic so it was Williams who captivated the crowds in blustery conditions on Centre Court.
After crunching down an ace to earn a 6-3 3-6 6-1 win over tenacious Frenchwoman Rezai, defending champion Williams covered her face and wept before walking off to generous applause from a crowd delighted to see her back on the hallowed turf.
"I never dreamt I would be here right now," said the 29-year-old American, who only returned to action last week in Eastbourne after 49 weeks out with a foot injury and a pulmonary embolism that left her on her death bed.
"I just wanted to win just one match here seeing as I'm not playing doubles, it was just a really big win for me.
"It's been so hard and a disaster year for me, but I've been praying and I have my family here and I just love tennis," added 13-times grand slam champion, whose older sister Venus also won through on Monday after her own injury troubles.
Andy Roddick, another American who has become a favorite son in this leafy suburb of London courtesy of his three final defeats by Federer, also progressed to the second round by beating German qualifier Andreas Beck 6-4 7-6 6-3 on Court One.
His nemesis Federer battled the wind and the awkward serve of Kazakhstan's Mikhail Kukushkin to prevail 7-6 6-4 6-2 on Centre Court, his usual slew of breathtaking shots helping the fans forget the bracing chill.
"The first match at Wimbledon is never easy. I struggled to get enough returns in during the first set," said the Swiss third seed, who saw champion Rafa Nadal progress on Monday.
"It was tricky conditions, a lot of wind. It was really strange how the wind came in."
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