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Journalism of Courage
Banishing early storm clouds, Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt thundered through to the second round of Wimbledon on Monday.
The afternoon sun which bathed South-West London after a damp start to the opening day also heralded victories for Lindsay Davenport, Amelie Mauresmo and Kim Clijsters on the All England Club8217;s lush green lawns.
Champion Federer raced into the second round with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 win over Paul-Henri Mathieu.
Federer, who clattered 18 aces past his French opponent, was joined in the second round by the man he considers a main rival for his crown, 2002 champion Hewitt.
The Australian baseliner wasted no time sweeping aside Belgium8217;s Christophe Rochus 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 in 92 minutes.
Women8217;s top seed Lindsay Davenport thrashed Russia8217;s Alina Jidkova 6-0, 6-2 and third-seeded Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo beat Hungary8217;s Melinda Czink 6-3, 6-2.
Ninth seed Anastasia Myskina had a scare before finally scrambling over the first hurdle. Myskina was pressed all the way before beating Czech qualifier Katerina Bohmova 5-7, 7-6, 6-4.
Fellow Russian Marat Safin wasted little time beating Thailand8217;s Paradorn Srichaphan 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.
Safin secured victory in the 500th match of his career with two successive aces to set up a second round clash with either Slovakia8217;s Karol Beck or Australian Mark Philippoussis, the 2003 Wimbledon finalist.
Kuznetsova thrashed Britain8217;s Rebecca Llewellyn 6-0, 6-1. Belgian Kim Clijsters also beat a Briton, ousting wildcard Katie O8217;Brien 6-2, 6-3.
Reuters
