14 Wednesday 25th June, 2008 Wimbledon Grand Slam 2008 Federer and Serena create fashion buzz and enjoy sunny start by Steven Wine (AP) - Wimbledon began with Williams wore a raincoat any- doubt because he struggled the a few surprises Monday. There way, and Roger Federer's first half of the year. WIMBLEDON, England was lots of sunshine, Serena changeover routine was inter- That might help explain rupted by a friendly visit from his prematch jitters. his opponent. "I did feel all of a sudden a The tennis went mostly as little pressure about two min- expected. Federer, Williams utes before I went on court," and new women's No. 1 Ana Federer said. "I felt like, 'Wow, Ivanovic won in straight sets. OK, here we go. Let's try to get Australian Open champion off to a good start.' I did." Novak Djokovic also eased into He looked as regal as ever the second round. in his warmup outfit, high- The top-ranked Federer lighted by a beige, four-button began his bid for a sixth con- sweater with gold trim and a secutive Wimbledon title by stylized F on the left breast. winning the first match on But judging from post- Centre Court. Sporting a match interviews, Federer was classy cardigan, he stepped upstaged on the fashion front - onto the fresh grass promptly perhaps a further sign he's in at 1 p.m. and looked eager to decline. His apparel inspired dispel the notion he's in only one question, while decline, winning the first 11 Williams fielded five queries points and beating former dou- about the stylish white trench- bles partner Dominik Hrbaty coat she wore onto court Serena Williams 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. before beating Kaia Kanepi 7-5, During a changeover one 6-3. goes perfect with my personal- lost on the same day in the game from the finish, the 30- ity. ... It's just delectable." third round at the French year-old Hrbaty broke with Q: Was that an effort to There were only three Open. They flew from France protocol by wandering over to keep the rain away this year? questions about Williams' to Florida and prepared for the seated Federer. Williams: "I just love coats. match, even though it provid- grass by hitting on hard- "I looked over and there he I'm always buying Burberry ed a bit of drama when she courts. was," Federer said. "He asked coats. And I don't know why, faced a break point serving at The unorthodox prepara- if I could sit next to me. I said, because I live in Florida, so it 5-all in the first set. tion for Wimbledon is standard 'Sure. There's no problem. doesn't really add up. Now I Kanepi, an Estonian who for the sisters and not to be There's an extra seat.' We go have a wonderful white coat I reached the French Open quar- questioned - they've won the way back. ... He said it might can wear on the court." terfinals, takes lusty swings title six of the past eight years. be his last Wimbledon, so it Q: It looked almost that often put two-time cham- "We just go home and prac- was almost a little bit emotion- Carnaby Street-inspired. pion Williams on the defen- tice in the hot sun," said al." Was it a '60s retro look? sive. But Williams endured the Serena, who is seeded sixth. Said Hrbaty: "If it had Williams: "It's definitely onslaught and took charge "We're so ready to leave been someone else, I wouldn't kind of retro-inspired - buck- after Kanepi double-faulted to Florida. We're like, 'We're have done it. ... We've had a lot les on the wrist, the waistband end the first set. going to do anything we can to of good times together. I just tie. You can tie it or button it." "Today definitely was not stay at the tournament as long wanted to tell him he's a great Q: It's not necessarily a an easy match," Williams said. as we can so we don't have to friend of mine, and I appreci- piece of athletic attire. Did "She was playing unbelievable. go back in that heat."' ate that." you have to get any special I felt like she wasn't making Defending champion Federer extended his permission from the club to any errors. I just felt like I just Venus Williams begins her bid grass-court winning streak to wear it? had to hang in there and stay for a fifth Wimbledon title 60 matches, including 35 at the Williams: "It's definitely positive." Tuesday when she faces wild All England Club, and yet his not athletic attire. But it's lady- The match was the first for card Naomi Cavaday of Roger Federer continuing domination is in like, and I'm very ladylike. It the Williams sisters since they Britain. Ivanovic embraces the high Nalbandian expectations being No.1 upset by by Stephen Wilson doesn't feel burdened by carry- Justine Henin. ing high expectations as a title "As the top seed, lots of peo- Dancevic WIMBLEDON, England favorite. ple just expect you to win," (AP) - As a new Grand Slam "It's very challenging for Ivanovic said. "When you tell WIMBLE- champion and No. 1, Ana me," she said. "That's something them, I still just want to play DON, England Ivanovic has a new perspective new and very exciting. I'm very match by match, they think it's (AP) - Former on the game as she seeks to win happy to be taking every chal- just a cliche. You have to work runner-up David Wimbledon for the first time. lenge I get. I think I'm still basi- hard, especially on grass. Nalbandian was The 20-year-old Serb lived up cally the same person. The only Everything is happening so fast. the highest seed- to her billing on opening day at thing I feel changed a little bit, I A lot of players can be danger- ed player ousted the All England Club, beating have a little bit more confi- ous. You have to be alert and on the opening Rossana de Los Rios of Paraguay dence." focused from the first point." day of 6-1, 6-2 in less than an hour on Ivanovic reached the semifi- Along with the prestige of Wimbledon on David Novak Djokovic Centre Court on a sun-splashed nals here last year and made her being No. 1 comes the pressure, Monday, upset 6- Monday that also featured victo- breakthrough last month, win- something she sees as working to 4, 6-2, 6-4 by Canada's Frank ries by Roger Federer, Novak ning the French Open for her her advantage. Dancevic. Djokovic through to 2nd Djokovic and Serena Williams. first Grand Slam. That "You have to see pressure for The seventh-seeded Argentine The top-seeded Ivanovic gave her the No. 1 what it is," Ivanovic said. "It's a player claimed he was injured, but ranking for the reflection of your own ambition. would not elaborate during a terse round after shaky start first time, and If you see it as a positive thing, it news conference after the loss. by John Pye she's become a means that you put yourself in a "I can't tell you," he said. he called Roger Federer "vul- marquee name position to do something memo- "There's no reason to talk." WIMBLEDON, England nerable" after the top-ranked in a women's rable. So if you look at it that Nalbandian had reached at least (AP) - Novak Djokovic was just Swiss star lost a lopsided field that is way, it can be very motivating." the third round in five previous getting his bearings when a French Open final to Nadal. more open Motivation should be no trips Wimbledon, where he made it powerful lefty took five Djokovic is still finding his than usual fol- problem for defending champion to the final against Lleyton Hewitt straight games from him to feet on grass. He made a final lowing the sud- and four-time winner Venus six years ago. even their match at a set for the first time on lawn den retirement Williams, who was set to kick off "I didn't play well," Nalbandian apiece. courts at the Queen's warmup of former No. 1 her title defense on Tuesday on said. "I never thought it was going to He wasn't playing Rafael tournament, but lost to the Centre Court against British be like this. You have that kind of Nadal, however, and Djokovic muscular, left-handed Nadal in wild card Naomi day sometimes. I tried. Every shot I regrouped to win his first- straight sets. Cavaday. miss, I miss by close. round match at Wimbledon on The 21-year-old Serb can't "I couldn't turn it around. I Monday. meet No. 2-ranked Nadal until expected better than this for sure." No. 3-ranked Djokovic con- the final here. Before that, he Nalbandian said he would not be ceded only one point in the would likely have to confront playing at the Beijing Olympics, first three games of the third five-time champion Roger with the U.S. hard court season now set and went on to a 7-5, 2-6, 6-3, Federer in the semis. And his focus. 6-0 victory over Michael Federer, on a 60-match winning No.