Agassi,Ferrero Cruise; Coria Goes Out - 網球

Agassi, Ferrero Cruise; Coria Goes Out

Former champion Andre Agassi and Roland Garros winner Juan Carlos Ferrero
both enjoyed Centre Court victories, but Guillermo Coria and Xavier Malisse
lose on day two.

Andre Agassi began his quest for a second Wimbledon title with a four-set
victory over Britain's Jamie Delgado on Centre Court. Agassi, the second
seed and many experts' pick for the title, dropped the third set but
eventually came through 6-4, 6-0, 5-7, 6-4.

The world No. 1, who is the only former champion remaining in the draw
following Lleyton Hewitt's shock upset on the opening day, was delighted
to have made a winning start to his campaign, 11 years after winning the
title at the All England Club.

"Just getting through the first one is the highest priority,"
said Agassi, after sealing victory with his 16th ace. "I came up against
a guy who was putting up some good resistance out there. I thought Jamie
played well, I thought he served well, in the third set especially.
Certainly put me to the test."

Agassi cruised through the first two sets but Delgado battled back and
led 3-1 in the third. Although Agassi managed to get back on serve before
a stunning cross court forehand lob by Delgado on set point at 6-5 gave
the Briton the break he needed.

Deceiving

Any thoughts of a second major upset were soon dispelled as Agassi used
his all-court game to grind his opponent down, but the 33-year-old
reigning Australian Open champion admitted it wasn't as he easy as it may
have seemed.

"Looks can be deceiving," said Agassi. "I feel like I'm always
worried. I always play with a sense of urgency, so little determines a
set on grass, nevermind a match, so you're always on edge until you have
the match put away."

Meanwhile, Roland Garros champion Juan Carlos Ferrero followed Agassi on
to Centre Court and wasted little time moving through to the second round
with a 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 victory over Frenchman Jean-Rene Lisnard.

Ferrero, who reached the third round in 2001, said he took 10 days off
after winning in Paris, but was happy to be back in action.
"It feels good," said the Spaniard. "It's nice to come back to Centre Court
with a win because I lost my last two matches there. Today I felt more
comfortable. Sometimes, the less you practice, the better you play."

Casualty

Elsewhere on day two, last year's runner-up David Nalbandian, the No. 6
seed, cruised past former semifinalist Vladmiri Voltchkov in straight sets
to continue his impressive record at SW19, but there was not such good
news for the man he defeated in the semifinals 12 months ago, Xavier Malisse.
The Belgian, seeded No. 14 this year, went out 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 to French
qualifier Cyril Saulnier.

In one of the upsets of the day, No. 7 seed Gullermo Coria became another
first round casualty when he lost in straight sets to Belgian Olivier Rochus,
while Roland Garros finalist Martin Verkerk went out in four sets at the
hands of Swedish qualifier Robin Soderling.

Mark Philippoussis, a three-time quarterfinalist between 1998 and 2000,
fired his way into the second round with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory
over Argentine Mariano Zabaleta, while Arnaud Clement finally came
through a 4-hour, 22-minute marathon against American Robby Ginepri.
Clement, the No. 15 seed, eventually won 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-7(3), 10-8.









--