LONDON, Jun 29 (AP): French Open champion Justine Henin became the first player to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon, beating Elena Vesnina of Russia 6-1, 6-3 Friday.
The top-ranked Henin, who lost to Amelie Mauresmo in last year's final at the All England Club, again played with a long strip of black tape running down the side of her right leg.
She said she's been bothered by tendinitis in her right foot, but that it hasn't affected her game.
The match was suspended for more than an hour by rain with Henin leading 3-2 in the second set. When play resumed, Henin broke in the eighth game and then served out the match.
Henin won her third straight French Open title this month, but needs to win at Wimbledon to complete a career Grand Slam. In three rounds so far at this year's tournament, Henin has dropped only 11 games.
Security at Wimbledon was increased Friday after the British police thwarted an apparent terror attack in central London.
Later Friday, top-ranked Roger Federer was also scheduled to play in the third round, facing two-time Grand Slam champion Marat Safin. No. 3 Andy Roddick and No. 5 Fernando Gonzalez were also to play, while No. 9 James Blake was to face former top-ranked player Juan Carlos Ferrero.
On the women's side, two-time champion Serena Williams and 1997 winner Martina Hingis were expected to play in the third round, as well as No. 3 Jelena Jankovic.
Mauresmo, who reached the third round Thursday by beating Yvonne Meusburger of Austria 6-1, 6-2, said she was happy to stay out of the spotlight at Wimbledon.
After the traditional Centre Court start as the defending champion, the fourth-seeded Frenchwoman played her next match on Court 2.
She likes the change from Roland Garros.
"It feels like I've always been doing that here at Wimbledon because the attention is so high at the French Open," Mauresmo said. "To me, it always feels like it's very easy here."
Seeds sail in style
FE Team | Published: June 30, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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