LONDON // The top seed, Roger Federer, came back from the brink of a dramatic first-round exit at Wimbledon today, recovering from two sets down to beat the gritty Colombian Alejandro Falla 5-7 4-6 6-4 7-6 6-0. Federer has reached the tournament final each of the past seven years, but today he barely survived the ceremonial opening match on Centre Court as defending champion. Federer, bidding for a record-equalling seventh men's singles title, was staring down the barrel as the South American world No 6 served for the match at 5-4 in the fourth set after producing a spellbinding display of baseline power and volleying guile.
But the Swiss, who also recovered from 4-4 0-40 on his serve in the third set, finally found his game after being made to look second best for much of the match before a disbelieving Centre Court crowd. He wrapped up the fourth set tiebreak 7-1 and galloped through the decider in double quick time, avoiding the ignominy of being the first Wimbledon champion to fall at the first hurdle since Lleyton Hewitt in 2003. * Agencies
