Wimbledon round-up / Day One
Andre Agassi mesmerised Centre Court for 89 minutes today to reach the second round of Wimbledon in style.
While seven-times champion Pete Sampras was slightly less impressive, he proved in no uncertain terms that tales of his demise have been vastly exaggerated.
But Agassi stole the show on day one, blasting hapless Harel Levy off the court 6-0 6-4 6-4.
"That was pretty special," he said, "Very special for me. It is a big honour today. . .This is certainly the greatest tournament in the world."
With seven Wimbledon titles to his name, Sampras could well have been expected to open proceedings, but he requested as late a start as possible after injuring a rib while practising before an exhibition match on Saturday.
Sampras is made of tough stuff, though, and dusted himself down to destroy the home hopes of Martin Lee 6-3 7-6 6-3 in the first round.
"I felt I played a bit up and down," he said afterwards, "But the injury's fine and didn't affect my game and it's not going to be an issue."
Another player delighted to be back on grass was Dutchman Richard Krajicek who, with Agassi and Sampras, is one of only three former champions in the men's draw this year.
Krajicek, the 1996 champion, won his first match since October 2000, powering into the second round with a 6-2 7-5 7-6 victory over Argentine Franco Squillari.
Second-seed Russian Marat Safin announced his intent for a first Wimbledon crown by crushing 1997 runner-up Cedric Pioline 7-6 6-2 6-3 while Greg Rusedski beat Jurgen Melzer 6-1 6-4 7-5.
In the women's draw, second seed Serena Williams hammered Australia's Evie Dominikovic 6-1 6-1 while third seed Jennifer Capriati looked less comfortable with a 6-1 6-4 victory over Slovakia's Janette Husarova.
Anna Kournikova is out after suffering a 6-1 4-6 6-4 defeat to fellow Russian and 21st seed Tatiana Panova.
Mary Pierce battled past Australian Alicia Molik for a 6-4 4-6 8-6 victory.