Roger Federer finds another No. 1

WIMBLEDON – When you’re facing a lefthander for the first time in the tournament, it’s always a good idea to go out and find one to practice with.

And so, as No. 1 seed Roger Federer prepared to face No. 22 seed Adrian Mannarino of France later on Manic Monday, there weren’t a ton of options.

The only two remaining lefties in the men’s singles draw, as it happens, are playing each other: Jiri Vesely and Rafael Nadal.

Nadal wasn’t warming up until noon, and Vesely planned to get on the practice court at 1 p.m.

So that wouldn’t do – even in the unlikely event that Federer and Nadal would practice together during a tournament anyway.

The other option is one of the doubles players. Federer hit up with Philipp Petzschner before his first round match. And it seems to have been a good luck charm for the German, who is into the third round with partner Tim (Golden Set) Puetz.

No. 1 hits up with No. 1

On Monday, Federer found Mate Pavic, part of the No. 1 seeded pair in the gentlemen’s doubles along with Oliver Marach.

The Croatian lefty and his partner were ousted in five sets in the first round of the men’s doubles. But Pavic is the top seed in the mixed with Canadian Gabriela Dabrowski.

That duo only plays its first match of the tournament late Monday. So Pavic has some free time. Why not help a fellow No. 1 out?