Wimbledon: Novak Djokovic savours ‘unique’ opening match

NOVAK Djokovic relished the opportunity to walk out on Centre Court as Wimbledon champion for the first time as he began his title defence with a comfortable victory over Juan Carlos Ferrero.

The world No.1, who beat Rafael Nadal in the final 12 months ago, looked a little edgy early on and even gave away the first break of serve, but he was quickly into his stride after that and eased to a 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 success. “It’s a unique feeling,” said Djokovic after opening proceedings on the first day of the tournament. “I think it’s the first time I experienced that in my career. I think this is the only tournament that actually allows you to have information 12 months in advance when you’re playing. The grass was untouched. It was so soft, so smooth. It was great to play on.”

Roger Federer had few lapses as he beat Spaniard Albert Ramos with stylish symmetry on Court One, 6-1, 6-1, 6-1. Oliver Golding’s first senior appearance at Wimbledon ended in disappointment as the Briton lost to Russia’s Igor Andreev after a spirited display on Court Two.

Golding, 18, ranked 398 places below world No.93 Andreev, stunned his opponent with a series of powerful shots to take the first set with ease.

But he grew increasingly frustrated as the match went on and the man from Moscow ran out a 1-6, 7-6, 7-6, 7-5 winner. Sixth seed and 2010 finalist Tomas Berdych was a surprise first-day casualty at Wimbledon as he was humbled 7-6, 7-6, 7-6 by Ernests Gulbis of Latvia.

There will be no third successive Wimbledon meeting between record-breakers John Isner and Nicolas Mahut in the second round after Isner lost 6-4, 6-7, 3-6, 7-6, 7-5 to Alejandro Falla. Mahut, who lost the longest ever match to Isner in 2010 and in straight sets to the same man last year, will resume this morning tied two sets all with Paolo Lorenzi.