Wimbledon, June24: Greg Rusedski was made to work hard before winning 7-6 7-5 7-6 against Germany's Alexander Waske in the first round at Wimbledon. The British number two, who won the Samsung Open title in Nottingham on Sunday, will meet Queen's winner Andy Roddick in the second round.
He said he was delighted that he was playing tennis at the top level again after his injury troubles of the past 12 months. "All that terrible stuff I can put behind me now," said Rusedski.

"I have closed the chapter on it.

"I remember it sometimes to make myself stronger and keep fighting out there, but I think I've got over the worst part of it now.

"Now hopefully it's just good tennis like I've been playing the last six six or seven matches. "You get on a roll and win a tournament and then you feel 'I'm back.'

"It was great to get by the first round in straight sets and the crowd gave me as much support as I could ask for."

Rusedski's big serve was matched by his opponent's as the first set went to a tie-break, which the unseeded Rusedski held his nerve to win 8-6.

But he had to wait until the 11th game of the second set to force a break.

Rusedski quickly wrapped up the set but the third set stayed with serve, though the home favourite thought he had achieved a break in the seventh game when Waske's volley went long, only for Rusedski to be adjudged to have slid into the net.

But the former US Open finalist fired down four aces in one game to take it into a second tie-break.

The Briton raced to 5-2 up before Waske levelled the score at 5-5.

Waske then saved one match point and forced set point to himself.

But Rusedski fought back and an ace set up his second match point, which he safely converted.

Bureau Report