Berdych exit a boost for Djokovic
June 26, 2012 08:18:39 UK
Men's sixth seed and former runner-up Tomas Berdych was a high-profile casualty on day one of Wimbledon after he lost in straights sets to Ernests Gulbis.
Czech Berdych, who lost in the 2010 final to Rafael Nadal, was beaten in three tie-breaks as Latvia's Gulbis secured a 7-6 7-6 7-6 triumph for one of the best victories of his career.
Berdych's exit will have come as a big boost to defending champion Novak Djokovic, who was seeded to meet the big-hitting Czech in the quarter-finals.
World number one Djokovic, 1213.00 to retain his crown, enjoyed a comfortable passage to round two as he beat Spanish veteran Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-3 6-3 6-1.
Six-time champion Roger Federer, 1.44 to add a seventh, had few problems in sweeping aside Spain's Albert Ramos 6-1 6-1 6-1, but 11th seed John Isner was beaten in five sets by Alejandro Falla, losing out 6-4 6-7 3-6 7-6 7-5.
In the women's draw Kim Clijsters, playing in her final Wimbledon, put on a superb display as she ousted 18th seed Jelena Jankovic 6-2 6-4.
Top seed Maria Sharapova, 1.001 to win the title, was in ominous form as she swept aside Anastasia Rodionova 6-2 6-3, while third seed Agnieszka Radwanska defeated Magdalena Rybarikova 6-3 6-3.
Fifth seed Sam Stosur and 11th seed Li Na also progressed to round two in straight sets.
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