| Monday, 23 June 2008 Written by Ian Baker Sam Querrey, the 20-year-old American, probably thought his number was up when he was picked in the draw to play Juan Carlos Ferrero, the 21st seed and Wimbledon veteran. Querry made a cracking start, taking the first set in just half an hour and threatening to make the 28-year-old Spaniard the first seeded victim of the Championships. But the 21st seed is worth his ranking. The early scare did its thing and last year’s quarter-finalist got stuck into his game, banking the next three sets to take the match. This was Ferrero’s first grass-court match of the season after recent injury niggles and he blamed a lack of tennis for his less than convincing start. "The big worry to me was to try to move well on court because of my injury in the last weeks," he said. "At the beginning, I was a little bit slower than after." British hope Alex Bogdanovic was edged out in the first round by Italy’s Simone Bolelli. The 24-year-old Bogdanovic, who was making his seventh consecutive appearance at Wimbledon as a wild card, pushed his 21-year-old opponent to the limits. But he eventually bowed out to a standing ovation after a 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) loss. After Ferrero’s survival it was left to big serving Croatian Ivo Karlovic to became the first seed to be knocked out. Karlovic, who knocked out defending champion Leyton Hewitt in 2003, was beaten in four sets by German Simon Stadler, ranked 176th in the world. Tommy Berdych, the 11th seed, was so nearly another casualty. Russian Evgeny Korolev was 5-3 up in the deciding set against the Czech, before Berdych came storming back to win a topsy-turvy match 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5. Injury put paid to Michael Llodra’s chances. The Frenchman hurt his back in the first set against Croatian Mario Ancic and despite bravely fighting on, the 32nd seed was forced to retire at two sets down and a break down in the final set. Sweden's Thomas Johansson came through the battle of the veterans, beating Vince Spadea of the US. Johansson came from two sets down to beat Spadea in what was the first five-set match of the Championships. On Court No.3, Chile's Fernando Gonzalez beat Robby Ginepri of the US in three straight, but closely fought sets. It was an amazing day for Ilia Bozoljac. The Serbian was not even supposed to be at Wimbledon having lost in qualifying last week but following Gael Monfils’ unfortunate late withdrawal due to injury, the lucky loser was drafted in as replacement. Bozoljac did not disappoint, beating Australian Chris Guccione in four sets.
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