The Swiss dominated the first set and earned himself three matchpoints when Falla was serving to stay in the match at 3-5 in set two. But the Colombian miraculously managed to fight his way back from 0-40 down and broke Federer in the very next game to level the score at 5-5. The Swiss maestro looked a lot more tense than usual and dropping his serve once more in the 12th game, he handed the set to Falla.
Both players exchanged one break of serve at the beginning of the third set, just before Federer stepped up a level and taking his opponent’s serve in the 7th game, he stayed focused, booking himself a place in the second round.
Next up for Federer will be Frenchman Julien Benneteau, who defeated Russia’s Mikhail Youzhny in straight sets 7-5 6-3.
The Olympic gold is the only trophy missing from the Swiss’ collection and this might be his last opportunity to capture it. He has got a gold with Wawrinka from the 2008 Beijing doubles tournament.
In the other first round matches, Nicolas Almagro eliminated Viktor Troicki 6-4 7-6 (3), John Isner overcame Olivier Rochus 7-6 (1) 6-4 and Denis Istomin surprisingly dismissed Fernando Verdasco 6-4 7-6 (9).
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