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maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 1 JULY 2015 20 Sport SPORTTODAY TENNIS Edin Dzeko is not leaving Manchester City for Roma - Agent The agent of Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko has hit out at reports he had talks with Roma over a possible transfer of the player to the Serie A club THE Italian press has fuelled speculation that the Bosnia and Herzegovina interna- tional will move to the Giallorossi as part of a deal that would see Roma playmaker Adem Ljajic join City. The rumours were boosted when Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic said earlier this week that his compatriot Dzeko would go "running" to Roma - but his agent Irfan Redzepagic has rebutted that claim. "I was frankly surprised by Pjanic's com- ments, unless he knows something that I don't," Redzepagic told Italian radio sta- tion Rete Sport. "I have had no contact with Roma, nor am I aware of any talks between the two clubs. It's not a financial issue, he simply doesn't want to leave the Citizens." Dzeko joined City from Wolfsburg in 2011 and is under contract with City for another three seasons. The 29-year-old endured a difficult campaign, making just 12 Premier League starts for Manuel Pellegrini's side and scoring six goals. Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko Record-seeking Federer cruises past Dzumhur WITH seven Wimbledon tro- phies, 15 titles on grass and 136 victories on the lush green sur- face, there is not much that fazes Roger Federer when he turns up at the All England Club. The same could not be said of his first-round opponent on Tuesday. Bosnian journeyman Damir Dzumhur arrived to face the most celebrated of Wimbledon champions without ever having played a match on grass. Just how ill-prepared Dzumhur was for his grasscourt baptism was clear for all to see as Federer began his 63rd consecutive grand slam event with a regal 6-1 6-3 6-3 victory that was all over in 68 majestic minutes. The man who has contested nine All England Club finals, and 25 overall at the majors, was certainly feeling the love from 15,000 Centre Court specta- tors who stood to attention as he sauntered in to begin his pursuit of a record eighth Wimbledon trophy. "Roger, I love youuuuuuuuuuuu- uuuuuuu" boomed a male voice as Federer kicked off his 83rd match at the home of grasscourt tennis with an unreturnable serve. The cheers from the RF appre- ciation society grew louder with every Federer winner, be it a blaz- ing backhand, a f lashy forehand or a razzle-dazzle volley. Those spellbinding shots f low- ing out of the Federer racket earned him five breaks of serve before he finished off Wimble- don debutant Dzumhur with a love service game to chalk up his 74th victory at Wimbledon. Dzumhur, who was just 11 when Federer won the first of his record 17 grand slam titles here in 2003, had to make do with the conso- lation of winning seven games against his childhood idol. While nerves would have played a part in Dzumhur's capitulation, the Swiss second seed made a surprising admission when asked what it felt like walking on to a court that might be considered his second home. "It's nerves," the 33-year-old fa- ther of four told reporters after walking off drenched in sweat. "It's exciting. But after all, it's a privilege to be there. I was try- ing to think how many times I've played there now. I don't know. I know it's been often. Still every time it feels like it's a special oc- casion, for sure." With the mercury hitting a sweltering 30 degrees Celsius, 23-year-old Dzumhur spent the changeovers with his head bur- ied under a cool towel but as far as his rival was concerned, the conditions could not have been better. "It was not hot. It was totally fine," added the world number two who will next face big-serv- ing American Sam Querrey. "It was perfect conditions, to be honest. It was nice. No clouds whatsoever. So it was just perfect playing conditions, to be honest. It was wonderful." Roger Federer in action against Damir Dzumhur