Novak Djokovic may have won in straight sets but he was made to work for his first-round Wimbledon triumph against Philipp Kohlschreiber on Monday.
The world number one started his title defence with a 6-3, 7-5, 6-3 victory but he certainly did not have it all his own way on centre court at the All England Club.
That may suit the top seed, though, with Kohlschreiber giving the four-time Wimbledon winner the sort of challenge that does not often come in the opening round of a Grand Slam.
"It felt great [to be back]. It’s a sacred court … it has a very special place in my heart and in my career as well," said Djokovic, who has recently added Goran Ivanisevic to his coaching team.
Asked on BBC if it was the ideal opening match, he added: “I think so. First opening rounds are obviously tricky if you get a quality opponent like Kohlschreiber, who has got a lot of experience.
"I know that he is capable to play some really quality tennis. It was a great test for me. I did win in straight sets but it was pretty close … I worked hard," he said.
Kohlschreiber - who beat Djokovic at Indian Wells earlier this year - showed he was up for the fight by breaking in the very first game, only his opponent to immediately strike back. Djokovic raced to a 4-1 lead and converted his second set point to take the opener in 40 minutes.
The world number 57 started the second impressively, holding to love before breaking. But Kohlschreiber faltered under pressure, failing to consolidate and move into a 3-0 lead. Instead it was Djokovic who broke back, setting the tone for a thrilling set that ebbed and flowed in all the right places.
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Kohlschreiber fought hard to hold serve for 4-3 and 5-4 but Djokovic’s quality eventually told. He roared with joy when making the crucial break, to lead 6-5 in the second set, and then held to love.
The third set followed a similar theme as Djokovic finished strongest, two breaks helping him win the last four games of the match. Djokovic will now face Denis Kudla in the second round after the American beat Malek Jaziri in straight sets.
- Anderson, Wawrinka advance -
Fourth-seeded Kevin Anderson, who lost to Djokovic in straight sets in last year’s final, moved into the second round by beating Pierre-Hugues Herbert of France 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in only his third match since March.
“Different expectations coming in right now given that I’ve not played many matches this year,” said Anderson, a South African who also reached the 2017 U.S. Open final. “But I think there’s a lot of positives I can take from today, and hopefully I’ll be able to keep building on that.”
Stan Wawrinka, seeded 22nd, also advanced. The three-time Grand Slam singles champion, who has won each of the other three majors but never Wimbledon, defeated Belgian qualifier Ruben Bemelmans 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. Wawrinka, who will next face tall American Reilly Opelka in the second round, has never been past the quarterfinals at the All England Club.
“I think for sure some tough years here by losing first or second round. I had two good years by making quarterfinals,” Wawrinka said. “I do believe that this year I’m playing well, I playing the best I never played on grass court. For sure I am having a tough next match.”
The 21-year-old Opelka, who is 6-foot-11 (2.11 meters), beat Cedrik-Marcel Stebe of Germany 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-1.
- Dimitrov and Monfils ousted -
Grigor Dimitrov squandered a two set advantage as he slipped to a 2-6, 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-1 loss to Frenchman Corentin Moutet.
Gael Monfils retires hurt against fellow countryman Ugo Humbert in the fifth set. The final scores read: 7-6 (6), 6-3, 4-6, 5-7, 0-3 (ret.).
However, David Goffin beats Bradley Klahn 6-4 6-4 6-4 in straight sets.
Frenchman Benoit Paire overcame Juan Londero of Argentina 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (4) in four sets after being broken twice in the first set.
(With inputs from AP)
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