Federer overcomes tough challenge

WIMBLEDON, England (AP):

Roger Federer survived another tense early-round match at Wimbledon when he overcame the tricky Serbian qualifier Ilija Bozoljac 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (5) yesterday.

The six-time champion, who escaped from a two-set deficit in his opening match, had trouble putting Bozoljac away in their second-round match, converting only three of 13 break-point chances.

"I wish they were straight sets, obviously," Federer said. "But as long as you're moving on, especially at Wimbledon, I'm a happy man."

Federer was never broken, won 75 per cent of his service points and committed only 13 unforced errors. He won the final three points of the match, one with a bold drop shot when trailing 5-4 in the tie breaker.

Seventh title

The defending champion, Federer seeks a record-tying seventh men's Wimbledon title. He has reached the final each of the past seven years.

Three-time Wimbledon runner-up Andy Roddick dug himself out of an early hole and beat Michael Llodra 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, 7-6 (2). Seeded fifth, Roddick began playing serve and volley more as the match progressed and he won 34 points at the net.

"That was as tough of a second round as there is," Roddick said. "I had to make an adjustment. Off my serve, I had to start coming in and serving and volleying behind it."

Playing the first match on sun-drenched Centre Court, Roddick hit 25 aces, lost serve just once and committed only 11 unforced errors.

No. 3-seeded Novak Djokovic beat American Taylor Dent 7-6 (5), 6-1, 6-4. Dent served at up to 148 mph, but lost 25 of 54 points at the net.

In the women's draw, five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams lost only 11 points on her serve and beat Ekaterina Makarova 6-0, 6-4. Williams is seeded second behind her sister Serena, who won when they met in last year's final.

Twice broken

Justine Henin was twice broken serving for the victory, then regrouped and beat Kristina Barrois 6-3, 7-5. Fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters defeated Karolina Sprem 6-3, 6-2.

Clijsters and Henin, both back at Wimbledon after coming out of retirement, could meet in the fourth round.

No. 15 Lleyton Hewitt, the 2002 champion, advanced when Evgeny Korolev retired trailing 6-4, 6-4, 3-0. American Mardy Fish had 30 aces, but went 0-for-9 on break-point chances in the final set and lost to Florian Mayer 6-7 (2), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

No. 13 Shahar Peer lost to Angelique Kerber 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.