Roger Federer, perhaps the greatest ever player at Wimbledon, was minutes away from an unthinkable first round exit during today’s Wimbledon 2010 Men’s Singles opening day, when he fell two sets behind against Columbian Alejandro Falla.
Federer was perilously close to going out, when he came back from 0-40 at 4-4 in the third set when down 0-2 in sets before one point inspired the crowd and the slumbering champion inside him to roar back and win a thrilling five set match 5-7 4-6 6-4 7-6 6-0.
Falla also served for the match at 5-4 in the fourth set, but Federer refused to be beaten before lifting the final set to love against an opponent who seemed to pick up an unlucky injury when 2-0 up, as he seemed to get a groin strain when he was majorly in the ascendency.
Federer, speaking after the match, said that he “drew from experience” to come back despite Falla being “the better player.”
Federer had looked slightly lethargic – or had been made to look so by his barnstorming opponent – in the opening couple of sets and it wasn’t until he was really cornered that he produced his best tennis.
Falla has hit some incredible returns, however, and will be disappointed that the tennis of his life eventually came to nought, but Federer showed the classy mark of a champion to get up in this tricky encounter.
Federer is the Lord and the Master of the game. Watch him in wimby 2010
The best start!!! Watch out the rest!