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Kafelnikov downs Federer Russian struggles with serve but moves on
Posted: Tuesday June 27, 2000 11:33 AM
LONDON (Reuters) -- Fifth seed Yevgeny Kafelnikov made heavy work of his first engagement at Wimbledon on Tuesday, having to battle to defeat Swiss Roger Federer 7-5, 7-5, 7-6 in the first round. The Russian's serve let him down frequently and on two occasions the former Australian and French Open champion double-faulted to allow Federer to pull back from a break down. Federer, ranked 32 in the world, saved two breakpoints in the ninth game of the third set and took it to a tiebreak which was punctuated by double faults on both sides. The Swiss saved one matchpoint at 6-5 down, but then put a forehand wide to give Kafelnikov another. This time the Russian was ready with a backhand volley at the net to finish off the victory in two hours eight minutes.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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