Delicate build-up pays for Novotna

Jana Novotna dispelled doubts about her ankle injury by coasting to a two-set win over the rhythmically named Shi-Ting Wang in the first match in defence of her Wimbledon crown.

After a rather delicate build-up to the competition, avoiding singles competitions, the fifth seed cruised to a 6-2, 6-1 win and came through ankle intact.

"It felt absolutely perfect," she said. "Yes, sometimes I have occasional pain and that's why I walk a little bit sluggish. I had it heavily taped. I'm taping it for every match, every practise and today was no exception."

Aranxa Sanchez-Vicario, also in Novotna's half of the draw, took a little longer to burn off unseeded Hungarian Anna Foldenyi in three sets. The Spaniard, who reached the finals in 1995 and 1996, appeared to lose concentration.

Having led 4-2 in the first set, she lost 4-6 before regaining composure to scrap out the important win.

"I made a lot of mistakes and my concentration was not all the time good," she said. "But at least I fight and I sometimes think it is good to have a difficult match on the first day," she added.

Jennifer Capriati, who is unseeded, also made an important advancement in the rehabilitation of her career. The American ousted German Anke Huber 7-5, 6-3, 9-7.

"It's hard to get back into the rhythm of playing matches, of being out there, being competitive," said Capriati.

"It's just hard to get back in the groove. I stopped putting so much pressure on myself. Letting it go has just helped me play better. Right now I feel there are no expectations on me," she added.

Capriati made it to the semifinals in 1991 before her career was almost destroyed and she ended up in a drugs rehabilitation clinic.

Mary Pierce's muscular frame was put to good use against Colombian Fabiolo Zuluaga. The number nine seed, who has emphasised her physical preparation in the last year, turned over her unseeded opponent 6-3, 6-2 in fractionally over an hour.

American Lyndsey Davenport also made little fuss in progressing. Last year's US Open champion dropped just three games in the second set and none in the first to put out Alexandra Fusai of France.

Natasha Zvereva found the going tougher, but last year's semi-finalist also advanced in three sets: Kimberly Po made her exit 57, 6-1, 6-3.