Third-seeded Djokovic shocked by Safin, Ivanovic hangs on

WIMBLEDON, England -- In the gentlemanly way that makes him a popular winner, Roger Federer didn't mind Novak Djokovic getting first use of Centre Court at Wimbledon on day three.

The five-time champion had some advice for the up-and-coming Serbian after going through the formality of the first match on opening day, telling Djokovic how well the freshly manicured lawn courts looked at the All England Club in a brief chat between their first-round matches.

There was no followup conversation Wednesday, when Djokovic crashed out in straight sets to No. 75-ranked Marat Safin -- a dangerous floater in the draw as a two-time Grand Slam title winner -- and Federer advanced past Robin Soderling 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (3), his 61st consecutive win on grass.

Djokovic could have provoked a fierce rivalry by saying Federer was vulnerable at Wimbledon after his lopsided loss to No. 2 Rafael Nadal in the French Open final this month.

But Federer felt no compulsion to rub it the face of the 21-year-old Djokovic after the Serb's 6-4, 7-6 (3), 6-2 loss.

"He was doing his thing. I was doing really mine. Once he lost, he left," Federer said. "So I didn't really ... no, we didn't get to chat at all.

Marat Safin enjoys a rare big victory at Wimbledon. (Getty Images)

The 12-time Grand Slam title winner warmed up for a while and then watched the second and third sets of the Safin-Djokovic match, when the mercurial Russian showed glimpses of the forehand and court coverage that took him to titles at the U.S. Open in 2000 and an Australian title in '05 after losing two of the previous three finals in Melbourne.

"Marat played a great match, so deserved to win in the end," Federer said, preferring to focus on what remains in front of him rather than the absence of third-ranked Djokovic. "That Novak lost doesn't make my day any better, but my match counts.

"You know, I did well. Beat a quality player. I'm through to the third round, so that's really what I'm focusing on. It's true, it's a big upset. But I'm anyway concentrating on my section."

Soderling broke Federer in the sixth game of the third set, and then led 5-3 before the Swiss rallied to force a tiebreaker.

It was the first time in seven matches since losing to Nadal at Roland Garros, his most lopsided Grand Slam defeat, that Federer has lost a service game.

He could see the good and bad of it.