Two days after dropping two sets to the unheralded Alejandro Falla, Roger Federer, a champion defending not just his Wimbledon title but his pedigree, gave up another on the way to edging past a fun-loving Serbian qualifier happy to be known as Bozo.
And, while there was plenty of the clown in the smiling and mildly eccentric but utterly likeable Ilija Bozoljac, he did not play like a man who had wandered in from the Challenger circuit, rated 152nd in the world. Nor, it has to be said, did the No1 seed play like someone convinced he could win this tournament for a seventh time. Federer declared himself relieved and satisfied afterwards, not so much with a scoreline that read 6-3, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, but with the fact that he had survived a demanding examination of his composure.
While some were worried that the Falla match might have at least scratched his psyche, there seemed little cause for concern in the first set, as Bozoljac seemed to be living up to his stereotype of tennis arriviste, just happy to be here. But, when he saved break point in the third game, and three times in the fifth, there seemed to be a bit of fight in the lad. Then the Serb shocked the champion, hitting harder, staying in rallies longer and gritting his teeth to take the second set in a disciplined tie-break.
Federer struggled thereafter to impose his will on Bozoljac, and might have been overturned had his opponent not come so wildly to the net when excited by the prospect of the biggest upset of his life. "He was playing really well," the Swiss said, looking more exasperated than weary afterwards. "I had never played him before. I thought he served incredibly well at key moments. It could have gone [to] five, so I am happy."
He paid tribute to both his tormentors in this tournament, as well he might. "They played great matches, but I came through them. I have to make sure I can raise my level. There were many more rallies today. I wish it was straight sets, obviously, but, as long as I'm moving on at Wimbledon, I'm a happy man. It just shows how deep the game is at the moment."
Federer, of course, would not countenance any cracks in his game or demeanour, but others – most pointedly his opponent in the next round, Arnaud Clément – will take comfort from further evidence of his vulnerability, not just here but for a worryingly long time this year.
Clément beat the Australian Peter Luczak 6-7, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4. The Frenchman, ranked 86th, has three wins in 10 meetings with Federer, but all of them a long time ago. Nevertheless, he will tell himself there might never be a better time to be playing the great man in a grand slam.
Federer, in unfamiliar territory on Court One, closed it out in the second tie-break of a match that lasted two hours and 46 minutes – a mere bat of an eyelid by current Wimbledon standards but a lot longer than anyone expected.
The perception that Federer is close to unbeatable, on grass at least, is one conjured not just from his peerless record – he wins eight matches in 10 and has lost only twice on the surface in 75 outings – but by his aura. He walks through his sport as if untouched by anxiety, a master of all crises – and there have been a few of them, in case anyone has forgotten.
However much he refuses to perspire, even he cannot hold at bay forever the strains of time and his calling. He does not float across the turf so often or so convincingly now; he even tumbled when lobbed yesterday, a rare image of a god brought to ground.
We held our breath, of course. There was hardly a spectator there who did not want him to get up, go on and prove his greatness again – however much they admired the fleeting pluck of another entertaining interloper. Bozo had his day and, as they walked from the court together, he will contemplate that his tennis life may never be so garlanded again.
Federer, meanwhile, must draw strength from his past, which could hardly be more impressive. As recently as January, Igor Andreev, another big-hitter, gave him hell for three sets in the opening round of the Australian Open, then Nikolay Davydenko had him hanging on well into the second set of their match. But he emerged stronger, thrashing Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in straight sets before putting away Lleyton Hewitt, then producing the most sublime form to wreck Andy Murray's final.
This time, though, the challenge to come back looks greater, the fault lines more obvious. He has time now to regroup. He needs every second of it.
I gotta say this was one entertaining match despite the frustrations (of the guy taking one set off Roger, and constantly saving break points with great serves).
I also have to give the guy full credit he played really well and came up with some amazing shots.
Forcing Federer to do the same. Still I think a lot of fans would have been mighty upset if Roger got beat by a guy who's name starts with Bozo.
I'm all for challenges before the final, but I will be very happy if Roger gets through his next match in straight sets.
So here's hoping for an easier 3rd round. There's enough drama in Wimbledon already Roger save some of it for week 2.
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