Six-times champion Roger Federer came back from the brink of a dramatic first-round exit at Wimbledon, recovering from two sets down to beat gritty Colombian Alejandro Falla in five.
Federer, bidding for a record-equalling seventh men's singles title, was staring down the barrel as the south American world number 60 served for the match at 5-4 in the fourth set after producing a spellbinding display of baseline power and volleying guile.
Federer says he definitely got very lucky out there... he says he's lost many matches this year which he should have won, this is one he should have lost but came through.
Federer will face Serbian qualifier Ilija Bozoljac in round two.
Russian 7th seed Nikolay Davydenko also needed 5 sets to beat South African Kevin Anderson.
French Open champion Francesca Schiavone, the 5th seed, was beaten along with two Croatian men, 11th seed Marin Cilic and 17th seed Ivan Ljubicic.
