WIMBLEDON 2010 BEGINS

Number one seed and 16-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer was expecting an easier ride than that which he was given by Alejandro Falla in his first round match on centre court.

The Colombian, yet to win an ATP tour title of any description came out firing on all cylinders, his forehand cross-court to Federer's backhand proving a menace indeed. Federer didn't seem to have any answer and unbelievably the Swiss was broken once in each of the first two sets. At 4-4 in the third and with a 2-set lead, Falla was looking strong for an amazing upset, but Federer managed to break crucially to extend the match into a fourth set.

However, he got off to the worst possible start in the 4th by dropping serve in the opening game. Serve was held by both competitors until Falla found himself serving for the match at 5-4. At this point I was left hanging on to the very last strand of hope, shell-shocked at what was happening before my eyes.

But Federer sprang to life when it really mattered as Falla faltered on his chance to beat the living legend in the first round of Wimbledon. The set went to a tiebreak which The Great Man strolled through, 7-1. Federer completed a fighting comeback with a bagel! (A 6-0 scoreline).

We can never count out this man - especially at Wimbledon. Credit is due to Alejandro Falla for performing so well and almost, almost, recording a shock victory. But Federer is about more than just pretty tennis.



He is a fighter. GO ROG!!!