FED IS STILL THE DADDY; WIMBLEDON ALL THE DRAMA FROM DAY THREE AT SW19.

Byline: NEIL McLEMAN

ROGER FEDERER exerted more effort dodging questions about the imminent birth of his child than reaching the second round of Wimbledon last night.

And although the topranked player remains the most graceful in the game, his press room exchanges were a lot more entertaining.

The five-time champion first made a straight return by reassuring the world there was nothing wrong with his pregnant wife Mirka, who was not in her usual place in the players' box yesterday.

But the French Open winner then used his nimble footwork to skip around the claim she was due on August 10. "I never said it," he ducked. "I don't know who told you, but you can speculate as much as you want."

When the Swiss journalist claimed Mirka had told him, Federer hit back: "She invited you, too, didn't she?" But the 27-year-old was more serious when stating now is the right time to start a family. And the winner of 14 Grand Slams said he will carry on playing to share his career with an offspring who is genetically guaranteed to play the game.

"Tennis is just part of my life, though an important part," he explained. "It is fitting right now to have a child. Mirka's dream was always to have a child who would be able to see me play so I am not going to retire. The Olympics in London have always been a goal for me."

The world No.2 needed just 89 minutes to see off Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-2 6-2 6-4 on the Centre Court where the 2012 Olympic final will be staged.

And Federer, who can overtake Pete Sampras's record of Major titles next week, insisted his place in tennis history should be assessed only then.

"I know it won't be easy over the next few years," he said. "But I think I should be judged when I hang up my tennis racket and not quite yet."

Federer's scheduled semifinal opponent Novak Djokovic, who lost in the second round here last year, avoided a repeat by beating German qualifier Simon Greul 7-5 6-1 6-4. But the No. 4 seed, won the Australian Open last year, prefers to be a dark horse than to be talked about as a potential winner.

"I have no expectations really for Wimbledon this year," said the Serb.

"I don't try to create a pressure on myself that I need to get far in the tournament. So I just play each match.

"I'm happy that the people are not talking about me in this moment."

Michael Llodra was forced to retire from his match against Tommy Haas in the first set after crashing into the umpire's chair chasing a drop shot and falling on top of a ball girl.

Wimbledon's perennial loser Alex Bogdanovic has vowed to return to SW19 next year - but only in the doubles.

His defeat to Tomas Berdych on Tuesday was his eighth successive first round defeat in the men's singles after being given a wildcard entry to the tournament.

But the British No.3 teamed up with James Ward for a much-needed straight sets win in the first round of the men's doubles.

However, Jamie Murray crashed out at the first hurdle.

The Scot and his partner Jonathan Erlich of Israel were beaten 6-4 6-3 6-1 by Lukasz Kubot and Oliver Marach.

ODDS TO WIN WIMBELDON.. Roger Federer 4/6, Andy Murray 7/4, Novak Djokovic 2/1, Andy Roddick 14/1, Juan Martin del potro 16/1, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 20/1, Robin Soderling 40/1FREEPHONE: 0800 444040

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SPAINFUL Fans miss last year's Wimbledon champion FED AND BORED Roger Federer eases to a three-set victory over Guillermo Garcia-Lopez on Centre Court yesterday