LONDON — Roger Federer is back in Grand Slam action — and back to his winning ways.
The owner of seven Wimbledon titles and 17 major championships overall did not exactly have an easy time of things but did beat 52nd-ranked Guido Pella of Argentina 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3), 6-3 on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) in the first round at the All England Club.
Federer missed the previous Grand Slam tournament, the French Open, withdrawing before it began last month because of a lingering back injury. That ended the 34-year-old Swiss star's record streak of 65 consecutive appearances at majors.
In the second round, Federer will face 772nd-ranked British qualifier Marcus Willis.