Roger, Goran: champions send early messages

ROGER FEDERER drew gasps of admiration yesterday as he opened the defence of his Wimbledon crown with a 6-3 6-3 6-0 thrashing of Britain’s Alex Bogdanovic.

But it was another unbeaten champion, Goran Ivanisevic, who melted hearts on Centre Court.

Ranked 415 in the world, the rangy Croatian, who has been prevented by injury from playing at Wimbledon since winning the title as a wildcard in 2001, beat 31st seed Mikhail Youzhny 6-3 7-6 6-2.