WIMBLEDON, England, June 25 (UPI) -- Four-time defending champion Roger Federer rolled through his first-round match Monday, opening his Wimbledon title defense with a straight-set win.
While rain delayed the start of matches Monday -- the first day of the year's third Grand Slam tennis tournament -- Federer didn't have a problem in a 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 victory over Teimuraz Gabashvili in 91 minutes. He has won his last 29 matches on the grass courts of the All England Club.
Federer is looking to become the first man to win five consecutive Wimbledon titles since Bjorn Borg in 1976-80.
No. 3-seeded Andy Roddick, powered by 16 aces, got by Justin Gimelstob 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 (7-3) in his first-round match Monday. Roddick next goes against Danai Udomchoke, who ousted Carlos Berlocq 6-4, 7-5, 6-3.
Among other men's seeded players who won Monday. No. 5-seeded Fernando Gonzalez dumped Robby Ginepri 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2, 6-2; 13th-seeded Tommy Haas beat Zack Fleishman 6-3, 6-4, 6-2; No. 17 David Ferrer took Sergio Roitman 6-3, 6-3, 6-1.
No. 27-seeded Philipp Kohlschreiber was ousted, losing 7-6 (7-4), 6-4, 6-4 to Florent Serra.
Additional Day-1 wins were notched by Michael Berrer, Tomas Zib, Janko Tipsarevic Alejandro Falla.
