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Mark Philippoussis has rebounded from a horror start to 2004 and a five-match losing streak to defeat Belgian qualifier Chistophe Rochus in tremendous fashion, on day two of the Wimbledon Championships.

Flip's serve troubled him in the first set, as he committed a worrying seven double faults. The Melbourne man lifted his game in the second and cleaned up his service, finishing the match with 22 aces. Rochus, who's younger brother Oliver has had more success on the tour, simply did not have enough firepower to overcome the eleventh seed.

The Scud eventually won 6-3 6-4 6-2 and will next play Martin Verkerk, a former French Open finalist. Philippoussis is at a very dark time with his game, so let us hope that he can rise from the ashes in which he has recently dwelled.

Wayne Arthurs, the only other Australian to complete a match on day two, went down to German Florian Mayer in three excruciatingly tight sets, 6-7(4-7) 6-7(5-7) 6-7(4-7).

TOP RUSSIANS CRUMBLE

Marat Safin, one of the Wimbledon favourites, has lost to talented up-and-comer Dmitry Tursunov 6-4 5-7 3-6 6-7(1-7). The young Russian was relentless in his destruction of his older compatriot, firing ten more aces than the former World No. 1. Safin had earlier expressed that he loathes the grass court season and could not wait until it was over.

Sixth seed Elena Dementieva bowed out in three topsy-turvy sets, 4-6 6-1 4-6. The French Open finalist again struggled with her serve while her opponent, Sandra Kleinova, was almost forced to withdraw due to a knee injury.

Another Russian, Svetlana Kuznetsova, seeded eighth at the Championships, was also cut from competition, falling to France's Virginie Razzano, 6-7(4-7) 6-3 4-6.

Second seed Anastasia Myskina put the Russian domination back on track, winning through to the second round over Lubormira Kurhajcova, 7-5 6-1.

RECORDS BROKEN

Two tennis records have been broken at this year's Championships.

At 47 years, eight months, Martina Navratilova's victory makes her the oldest woman to win Grand Slam match.

Wayne Ferreira's appearance at Wimbledon broke the record for the number of Grand Slam tournaments played in succession. The South African veteran has not missed a Slam since his first outing at the 1991 Australian Open, meaning he has now played 55 straight Slams. The record had previously been held by Swedish legend Stefan Edberg.

22nd June, 2004

by Tsari Paxton

DAY ONE AUSSIE RESULTS

The Aussies have experienced mixed fortunes on the opening day of Wimbledon.

Lleyton Hewitt began his campaign in style with a straight sets victory over Austrian left-hander Jurgen Melzer. Seventh-seeded Hewitt breezed through the first set, taking it decisively in just 24 minutes. Melzer put up a better fight in the second, but when Hewitt broke his serve again in the ninth game, Melzer began to lose his cool, disputing numerous line calls and whacking a ball out of the stadium after he disagreed with the legitimacy of Hewitt's second-set-winning shot. In the third set, Melzer's lack of composure only helped Hewitt gain momentum, as the South Australian fighter went on to win the match with relative ease, 6-2 6-4 6-2.

Alicia Molik's campaign gained some much needed confidence after she beat Hungarian World No. 81 Melinda Czink. Winning 6-1 6-4, the Australian No. 1, who is currently at a career-high ranking of 26, looked the goods from the moment the first ball was struck. She will next play American 25-year-old Teryn Ashley.

No such success for Nicole Pratt, who fell to the highest ranked British woman in the draw. Anne Keothavong, ranked 168, scored an impressive scalp with her 6-3 6-1 victory over World No. 41 Pratt.

Samantha Stosur, Australia's youngest female in the main draw, lost a tight match to 12-seeded Vera Zvonareva of Russia. Stosur but up a good defence, but was eventually outgunned 6-4 6-4 by the physically imposing Zvonareva.

ONE LAST WIMBLEDON

Two theatrical past champions have returned to the All-England Lawn Tennis Championships for one last bid at the tournament that brought them their biggest successes.

For 47-year-old Martina Navratilova, it was a glorious win. After three straight first round losses at Amelia Island, Charleston and the French Open earlier this year, Navratilova returned to trounce 23-year-old clay court specialist Catalina Costano 6-0 6-1. In slightly cruel fate, the American will next face Gisela Dulko, the 19-year-old Argentine who beat her four weeks ago at Roland Garros.

Crazy Croat Goran Ivanisevic has played sparingly since his victorious 2001 Wimbledon tournament, spending over a year off the tour after shoulder surgery. But you wouldn't have thought it the way he played his opening round match against seeded Russian Mikhail Youzhny. Ivanisevic, who had only won two tour matches in the last two years, made easy work of Youzhny, winning 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-2.

Look out for a possible third round match-up between Ivanisevic and Hewitt.

18th June, 2004

by Tsari Paxton

WIMBLEDON FIRST FOR WHEELER

Christina Wheeler, a Ukrainian-born 22-year-old Victorian, has triumphed over Israel's Tzipora Obziler, 6-4 6-3, to qualify for her debut appearance at Wimbledon.

Wheeler, who will meet World No. 93 Tatiana Perebiynis in round one, joins three other Australian women in the Wimbledon singles draw: Alicia Molik, seeded twenty-seventh, will play relatively unknown Hungarian Melinda Czink; Australian No. 2 Nicole Pratt is to face World No. 186Anne Keothovong, the highest ranked Brit in the ladies' draw; and Queenslander Samantha Stosur will have a battle on her hands against twelfth seed Vera Zvonareva of Russia.

Martina Navratilova will play World No. 100 Catalina Castano in her first singles event at Wimbledon in ten years. The 47-year-old wildcard recipient is a 58-time Grand Slam champion.

LADY LUCK UNKIND TO AUSSIE MEN

The small contingent of Australian men at Wimbledon have received somewhat unfavourable draws in the gentleman's singles competition.

Lleyton Hewitt, Australia's top player, plays a qualifier in the first round, but may meet World No. 1 and defending champion Roger Federer, in the quarter-finals.

Mark Philippoussis, who was Wimbledon 2003 runner-up, also plays a qualifier in the first round but is in the same quarter as four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist Tim Henman.

Wayne Arthurs is to play German Florian Mayer before a possible second-round bout with third-seed Guillermo Coria, while Australia's youngest male in the main draw, Todd Reid, will face American veteran and No. 30 seed Vincent Spadea.

17th June, 2004

by Tsari Paxton

MOLIK READY TO SHINE

The good news for Australian tennis is that Melbourne-based Alicia Molik will be seeded No. 27 at the All-England Championships. Seeded at 27, Molik will not face an opponent ranked higher than her until at least the third round.

Her seeding at Wimbledon suits the Australian well, as her big serving, all-court game is perfectly suited to the grass courts of Wimbledon.

AUSSIE SEEDS AT WIMBLEDON

Australian men Lleyton Hewitt and Mark Philippoussis have each received a Wimbledon seeding higher than their ATP entry rankings. World No. 10 Hewitt has received seventh seeding after past grass court successes; and Mark Philippoussis' ranking of 19 has been improved to eleventh seed after finishing runner-up last year.

Defending champions Serena Williams, currently ranked 10, and World No. 1 Roger Federer have each received the No. 1 seeding in their respective draws.

MIXED RESULTS IN QUALIFYING

Christina Wheeler has made it through to the third and final qualifying round, recovering from a one-set deficit to outclass Dutch player Elise Tamaela 4-6 6-4 6-3. The petite Australian will have to defeat Israelite Tzipora Obziler for a place in the All-England main draw.

Evie Dominikovic, Australia's only other hope in the women's qualifying event, was bundled out of the competition yesterday. Evie lost to gritty Russian Tatiana Panova in three sets, 6-2 5-7 3-6.

16th June, 2004

by Tsari Paxton

AUSSIE WOMEN LOOKING GOOD IN QUALIFYING

Australian women recorded some impressive wins at the Wimbledon Ladies' qualifying event overnight.

Evie Dominikovic wiggled her way out of a tussle with China's Ting Li, eventually winning 7-6(7-4) 1-6 6-4. Dominikovic faces pint-sized Tatiana Panova, a former top 20 player, in the second round.

In other Australian success, Christina Wheeler, our No. 4, advanced to the second round of qualifying after her opponent, Virginie Pichet of France, retired from their match at three-all in the first set. Wheeler meets Dutchwoman Elise Tamaela for a place in the final round of qualifying.

MOLIK MISFIRES

Alicia Molik was last night eliminated in the first round of the Eastbourne's Hastings Direct International.

The 23-year-old Victorian came within a game of taking the match against Italian Francesca Schiavone, but eventually came undone 6-2 5-7 6-7(2-7).

Though a disappointing loss, Molik will have to draw on the positives, as she may be seeded at Wimbledon, her first ever Grand Slam seeding.

WIMBLEDON WITHDRAWAL WOES

Andre Agassi is out of 2004 Wimbledon Championships, with an ongoing hip injury forcing his early withdrawal. Agassi, a former Wimbledon champion, expressed dismay over the problem, adding that he hopes to return next year.

"I have been struggling with a hip injury for the past couple of months," the 34-year-old Agassi said. "Clearly, this is a regrettable decision that I have to make. I will miss the opportunity to play in the most prestigious tournament in the world."

Agassi joins the world's top two women, Justine Henin-Hardenne and Kim Clijsters, on the sidelines with World No. 1 Henin-Hardenne still suffering the effects of a virus and Clijsters halted by an ongoing wrist injury.

Gustavo Kuerten, Gaston Gaudio, Younes El Aynaoui and Mariano Zabaleta have also withdrawn due to a range of injury problems.

15th June, 2004

by Tsari Paxton

STOSUR AT CAREER BEST

Aussie teen Samantha Stosur has reached a new career high ranking of World No. 87.

This result comes after Stosur overcame local wildcard Elena Baltacha and Venezuelan up-and-comer Milagros Sequera, to reach the third round of the DFS Classic in Birmingham. The Queenslander eventually fell to tournament champion and World No. 15 Maria Sharapova.

Her form could not be coming at a better time, as the prestigious Wimbledon tournament begins next week.

WIMBLEDON WARM-UP EVENTS

Andy Roddick defeated defending champion Sebastian Grosjean, 7-6 6-4, to take the Queen's Club title on Sunday. Queen's is regarded as the biggest men's lead-up event to the All-England Club event.

Meanwhile, World No. 1 Roger Federer crushed American Mardy Fish in the final of the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany. Federer took just 57 minutes to embarrass Fish 6-0 6-3.

10th June, 2004

by Damian Erle

STOSUR SUBDUES SEQUERA

Aussie teen Samantha Stosur has pulled off a remarkable comeback to move into the third round of the DFS Classic in Birmingham.

After going down 0-6 in the first set to Venezuela's Milagros Sequera, the Queenslander lifted dramatically to take the next 6-4.

The final set was a tense one, with both players holding their serves to force a tiebreak. It was there that the Aussie got the jump on the Venezuelan, wrapping up the match, 0-6 6-4 7-6(7-2), with some aggressive stroke play.

HEWITT'S HOPES RISE

Lleyton Hewitt has made a great start to his Wimbledon campaign, making it through to the third round of the Queen's Club tournament.

Although the Aussie's opponent, the unseeded Spaniard Marc Lopez, may not have been the best quality resistance, the 6-3 6-2 victory shows that Hewitt is definitely comfortable on the grass surface, and ready for a serious crack at the Wimbledon crown.

"There are only a few guys capable of winning Wimbledon and I'm one of them," said Hewitt. "I've been the top player in the world, I knew it wouldn't last forever, but I believe I'm better now than I was then and that counts for a lot."

9th June, 2004

by Damian Erle

SCUD SUCCUMBS AT STELLA ARTOIS

Australian No. 2 Mark Philippoussis has crashed out of the Queen's Tournament in dramatic style, losing in straight sets to World No. 866 Ian Flanagan.

Although the sets were close, the Scud put in a horrific performance to lose 6-7 (2-7) 6-7(3-7) to the little known British qualifier.

The former Wimbledon finalist blamed the loss on a bad day.

"No one likes to have an off day like this. It is a setback but I have to stay positive," said Philippoussis. "Unfortunately it's not the first time it's happened, where I have had a bad Queen's and gone on to do well at Wimbledon."

MOLIK MOVES ON

Alicia Molik has begun her grass court season in fine form, yesterday reaching the third round of the DFS Classic in Birmingham.

The Aussie No. 1, and the tournament's eighth seed, defeated Italy's Flavia Pennetta in straight sets, 7-6(7-4) 6-4.

BELGIANS OUT

Justine Henin-Hardenne has joined fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters as a withdrawal from this month's Wimbledon Championships.

The World No. 1 sited a general lack of fitness as the reason for her withdrawal.

"My physician has given me strict orders that several more weeks of rest will ensure a full recovery," said Henin-Hardenne.

World No. 2 Clijsters is still having troubles with her left wrist, which also forced her out of the recent French Open. There are even fears that the adopted Aussie may not be ready for the US Open.

8th June, 2004

by Damian Erle

FRENCH OPEN FINALS

In what many would have considered an unlikely women's final, Russians Anastasia Myskina and Elena Dementieva battled it out for bragging rights, and of course, the French Open crown.

Although seeded sixth and ninth respectively, Myskina and Dementieva were both considered outsiders for the title, with the likes of Henin-Hardenne, Mauresmo, the in-form Davenport, the Williams sisters, and Capriati also competing.

The match, built up to be a great fight between two great friends, proved to be a very one-sided affair, with Russian No. 1 Myskina obliterating her compatriot 6-1 6-2.

The historical match, the first ever Grand Slam final featuring two Russians, proved to be a fizzer. With such an easy victory, the new World No. 3 showed little emotion afterwards, simply smiling and having a bit of a laugh. There wasn't even a scream of excitement.

Both girls were so nervous before the final that Myskina had to have physios teach her how to breath, and Dementieva self destructed under the pressure. Her usually shaky serve turned into the shambles, with 10 double faults, 52% first serve success, and 33% second serve success, effectively destroying her chances of success.

The men's final provided a lot more excitement, as the unknown and unseeded Gaston Gaudio stole victory from overwhelming favourite Guillermo Coria.

The Argentines battled out a thrilling five set match that lasted for three hours and 31 minutes and went to 8-6 in the final set.

World No. 3 Coria took the first two sets 6-0 6-3 in just over an hour, and looked like taking the title without even breaking a sweat. However, on the back of heavy support from the crowd, the World No. 44 dug deep to capture the third set 6-4.

At 1-1 in the fourth set, Coria received some treatment on his left thigh. Sensing an opportunity, Gaudio pushed the ball around the court, quickly tiring his opponent. Despite a gallant effort from the No. 1 Argentine, Gaudio fought back to claim the set 6-1, and level at two sets apiece.

Following more treatment on his leg, Coria found a little extra in the tank, to regain his mobility and form, and set up two match points. Not to be outdone, Gaudio also lifted, breaking his compatriot and then holding serve to level at 6-6. The next two games produced some very intense tennis, in which both players had opportunities. It was Gaudio, however, that capitalised, to claim victory in the first ever all-Argentine Grand Slam final.

"It means everything. Everything," said Gaudio. "Since I was a kid I was dreaming to be down here, being here and winning this tournament, talking to all these guys here. It's like a dream. I don't realise now, I just finished my match, how much is gonna change my life with this. I can't believe it yet."

Coria was inconsolable after seeing the championship slip through his fingers.

"After what happened to me because of doping, I was dreaming of this situation. To see that my body let me down and my nerves let me down ... I want to come out of this story," said Coria, crying uncontrollably. "I really wanted to win this tournament, to try to forget everything I have deep inside. I wanted to bring a lot of happiness to my family because they supported me during these very difficult moments."

In other results, unseeded Belgian pair Xavier Malisse and Olivier Rochus defeated hometown favourites and sixth seeds Michael Llodra and Fabrice Santoro 7-5 7-5. Playing in their first ever doubles tournament together, the duo was more than ecstatic to win, jumping around like hyperactive school children.

The women's doubles saw World No. 1 pair Virginia Ruano Pascual and Paola Suarez take an easy 6-0 6-3 victory from World No. 2 Russian duo Svetlana Kuznetsova and Elena Likhovtseva. The win gave the pair their third French Open title.

4th June, 2004

by Damian Erle

ALL RUSSIAN FINAL

Sixth seed Anastasia Myskina and ninth seed Elena Dementieva will face off in the first ever all-Russian French Open final.

Both Russian women cruised into the final. Myskina decimated former World No. 1 Jennifer Capriati 6-2 6-2, whilst Dementieva had little more trouble brushing aside Argentine Paula Suarez 6-0 7-5.

Myskina completely dominated the court, as she did against Venus Williams in the quarters, winning 78% of her first serves, and 86% of net approaches.

Despite the first set score line, Dementieva was less dominant, statistically, in her victory over 14th seed Suarez. Hitting only marginally more winners, the Russian won her game on Suarez's week 23% second serve.

AUSSIES OSTRACISED

The last remaining Australian in the entire French Open tournament was last night eliminated from Roland Garros.

Todd Woodbridge, a doubles master, and mixed doubles partner Daniela Hantuchova, proved inferior to the Zimbabwean duo of Cara and Wayne Black. The No. 4 seeds had a brilliant warm up to the final, crushing Woodbridge and Hantuchova 6-2 6-0.

The mixed doubles final will be fought out between the Zimbabweans and hometown heroes Tatiana Golovin and Richard Gasquet.

3rd June, 2004

by Damian Erle

WOODBRIDGE LAST HOPE

Todd Woodbridge has become Australia's only title chance at the French Open, after Lleyton Hewitt crashed out of the singles draw, and the Aussie duo of Alicia Molik and Paul Hanley lucked out in the mixed doubles.

Hewitt, going for his best showing at the Open, lost in straight sets to inform Argentine Gaston Gaudio. The Aussie No. 1 was unsettled early on, as Gaudio jumped to a 5-3 lead in the first set. Unable to muster that 'never say die' attitude, Hewitt conceded the set 6-3. From then on the former World No. 1 was completely outplayed, losing 6-3 6-2 6-2.

The Aussie committed 43-19 unforced errors, hit 21-27 winners, and served at only 40% for his second serve.

The combination of Cara and Wayne Black proved far too good for Molik and Hanley, sweeping them aside 6-2 6-4. The Aussie couple had no answer for the skill and composure of the Zimbabwean pair.

Woodbridge, on the other hand, enjoyed some success on day nine of the tournament, teaming up with Daniela Hantuchova to advance through to the semi-finals of the mixed doubles. Their opponents, Petra Mandula and Andy Ram, could do nothing to stop the duo mauling them 6-3 6-4.

Woodbridge and Hantuchova now face the Zimbabweans for a place in the final.

2nd June, 2004

by Damian Erle

WOODY STILL WINNING

It seems that Lleyton Hewitt is not the only Aussie winning at the French Open.

Although Hewitt is the only singles player left for Australia, and we have no doubles combinations left, the mixed doubles competition is looking promising.

Todd Woodbridge has teamed up with Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova, to advance through to the semi-finals of the mixed doubles draw. Along the way, the unseeded pair demolished eighth seeds Myriam Casanova and Cyril Suk 7-6 6-4.

Joining Woodbridge in the mixed doubles draw is Aussie duo Alicia Molik and Paul Hanley. The two have made it through to the quarter-finals, but face fourth seeds Cara and Wayne Black for a place in the semis.

The bad news for Australia is that if Molik and Hanley defeat the team of Black, they will have to face Woodbridge and Hantuchova in the semis, meaning that there can't be two Aussie teams in the final.

1st June, 2004

by Damian Erle

HEWITT ROLLS ON

Lleyton Hewitt has stormed into the French Open quarter-finals with a straight sets victory over Belgian World No. 54 Xavier Malisse.

Hewitt, staring at a 3-5 first set deficit, fought hard to save several set points. He then went on to win the next four games and take the first set 7-5.

The second set saw the Aussie come out firing. Hitting winner after winner, Hewitt blasted Malisse from the court, taking the second set 6-2.

The Belgian, not to be outdone, returned the favour, jumping to another 5-3 lead in the third. But once again, Hewitt produced a brilliant comeback, taking the set 7-6 in a tiebreak.

The former World No. 1 now moves on to face the unseeded Gaston Gaudio for a place in the semis.

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