WIMBLEDON 2000

REVIEWS BY MARK NEWMAN

FORMER CHAMPIONS SAIL INTO

SECOND ROUND

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(1) Pete Sampras def. Jiri Vanek 6-4 6-4 6-2

He’s the man to beat, despite his loss to Lleyton Hewitt at Queen’s last week, and he never once looked in trouble against Vanek. Sampras has won the Wimbledon title six times now, and if he wins again he will break the record for all time Grand Slam wins in the men’s game with a 13th Grand Slam title. It’s hard to picture anyone stopping him right now.

(11) Richard Krajicek def. (LL) Michael Kohlmann 3-6 6-1 6-4 7-6 (7-3)

For one set Michael Kohlmann made the most of his lucky loser status. Into the main draw after the whingeing and moaning of the Spanish boycott trio eventually produced their withdrawals (Krajicek was to have faced Albert Costa), Kohlmann rattled Krajicek by breaking his serve twice in the opening set. After that though, Krajicek settled down and found the form that took him to the 1996 Wimbledon title. Another title may be beyond his reach, but the second week looks a distinct possibility.