Ivanisevic breaks first-round block

Ivanisevic, who also fell to Sampras in this summer8217;s Wimbledon final, crashed 23 aces past Woodforde during the one hour, 27-minute match.

While the lanky, goateed Croat was dismissing Woodforde, former world number one Muster, of Austria, mustered his ground-stroking arsenal to oust 15th-seeded clay courter Alberto Berasategui of Spain,the 1994 French Open runner-up, 7-6 7-1 6-2 6-3.

Muster, three times a quarter-finalist at the Open, improved to 4-1 lifetime against the Spaniard as he avenged a defeat in the final of this year8217;s clay event in Estoril.

World No 1 and top seed Pete Sampras was following the 14th-seeded Ivanisevic onto Centre Court, beginning his quest for a record-tying 12th Grand Slam title against Marc Goellner of Germany.

On the women8217;s side, top-seeded Martina Hingis of Switzerland was due to follow Sampras and begin defence of her Open crown with a Centre Court test against Aleksandra Olsza of Poland.

Early women8217;s winners included 11th-seeded Patty Schnyder of Switzerland, who beat Japan8217;s Yuka Yoshida 7-6 7-5, 7-5, Poland8217;s Magdalena Grzybowska, Americans Kimberly Po and Laura Granville.