Brands, a qualifier ranked 120th, served under pressure like someone with a higher profile.
On a June night in Paris, Federer, 29, spoke with his racket, ripping ground strokes and, above all, serves under pressure.
But Djokovic, who is making rumblings about considering a second career as an actor, and Roddick, who was once host of Saturday Night Live and has long organized his own charity event in Florida, are as adept at clowning around under pressure as they are at slamming big serves under pressure.
Federer, serving superbly under pressure and controlling the flow of play from the backcourt, coolly defused the still-dangerous game of Marat Safin, 6-3, 7-6 (3), 6-4.
In other words, the Polanski affair began at the precise moment when the serving judge, under pressure from public opinion and a press steamed up by the demonic notoriety of the author Rosemary's Baby, chose to tear up the plea bargain or, more exactly, not to approve it.
There would be more time to think after Ivanisevic missed another first serve under the pressure.
That said, it was Henman who looked the more in need of a transfusion as the opening set progressed, with his serve under increasing pressure.
As Lahyani's mind doubtless drifted back two years to events on Court 18 between Isner and Mahut, the two big men held serve under increasing pressure.
From Sampras, there were the career-high 37 aces, four of them hit with second serves under extreme pressure against the world's No. 1 player and No. 1 returner.
