Federer admits he cheated defeat with "lucky" escape (Roundup)

By Bill Scott Jun 21, 2010, 19:13 GMT

London - Six-time champion Roger Federer Monday admitted he got lucky dodging a bullet as holder to escape with a fightback 5-7, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-1), 6-0 win over Alejandro Falla in what could have been an opening day of disaster at Wimbledon.

The Swiss with 16 Grand Slam titles completed only his second Grand Slam return from two sets to love down after conjuring up the same magic a decade ago in a first round at the US Open against Peter Wessels of the Netherlands.

'Maybe I didn't play the match of my life, but I did play not bad myself at times,' said the Swiss winner. 'That's normally enough to go through in straight or in four sets, but he definitely pushed me. He was a very tough opponent.'

The top seed confessed that he experienced rare moments of panic as he battled against his inspired 60th-ranked opponent whom he has played three times in the past month.

'There was a big threat today and I did get lucky, I have to take the positives and negatives after this match,

'(At times) my whole game was in disarray. There was definitely a bit of luck involved. The way I came out of this match, you know, definitely got lucky. But that's how it goes sometimes.'

'I've been unlucky enough this already this season, so I needed one lucky match. We'll see how important it is.

'I've lost a few matches this season with match points, 7-5 or 7-6 in the third. This is definitely some kind of a match I kind of needed.'

Federer's success prevented the third first-round loss by a defending champion in the 124-year Wimbledon after Lleyton Hewitt in 2003 and Manolo Santana in 1967.

Federer, winner of six of the previous seven editions, last lost in the first round of Wimbledon in 2002 against Mario Ancic. He was last beaten in a Grand Slam first round at the 2003 French Open by Luis Horna of Peru.

He now owns a total of six comebacks from two sets to love down, his last at a major at the French Open last year against Tommy Haas in the fourth round.

The Swiss and Falla have played in their last three event over the past month, with Federer winning in the French Open second round and 11 days ago on grass in Halle, Germany, where he lost the final to Lleyton Hewitt.

Before Monday, Falla had broken Federer only once in four matches.