Emotional Agassi Overcomes Nerves To Advance In Final Wimbledon

Sometimes, even the most accomplished players get nervous. That's precisely what happened to Andre Agassi after dropping the first set before finding his form to post a 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 first round win over Boris Pashanski at Centre Court Tuesday in London.

Making his 14th and final appearance at Wimbledon, the 1992 winner and eight-time Grand Slam champion received a standing ovation when he was introduced to the crowd.

Returning to the Championships for the first time in three years due to chronic back problems, the popular 36 year-old American star who will be retiring after the U.S. Open got off to a rocky start before recovering.

"To feel that sort of support- it just meant the world to me. I just wanted to do 'em proud," Agassi said at a postmatch conference after serving 17 aces on his way to the four set win. "So I got a little nervous about trying too hard early, overhit a lot. Took me awhile to settle down."

"I went from nervous to slightly embarrassed to digging in and getting more comfortable as it went on."

Having played just one match the last three months due to a bad back, it took him some time to find the range.

"I've had years where I felt better; sort of don't want to harp on any of the negatives," the 25th seed pointed out. "This is a challenge for me in more ways than I probably ever communicate."

While Agassi overcame a slow start, no such problem arose for top seed Roger Federer. A day after taking the first set and trailing 1-2 before rain halted play, the three-time defending champion dropped just three more games against Richard Gasquet en route to a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory for his 42nd in a row on grass, breaking Bjorn Borg's record of 41 straight.

It's nice, isn't it?" Federer told the AP. "To get any streak is obviously nice. I'm still going, so even better."

He'll next face British fan favorite Tim Henman, who eliminated Robin Soderling in five sets 6-7 (8), 6-3, 6-2, 1-6, 6-3. The 31 year-old four-time semifinalist will have no time to rest due to the schedule, which has him facing Federer later today.

French Open champion Rafael Nadal (2) also moved into the second round with a hard fought 6-4, 7-6 (3), 6-4 win over Brit wildcard Alex Bogdanovic. Fourth seeded Argentine David Nalbandian advanced over Wesley Moodie 6-3, 6-4, 6-1.

Other seeded men's winners included Mario Ancic (7), American James Blake (8), Fernando Gonzalez (10), Tommy Robredo (11), Tomas Berdych (13), Radek Stepanek (14), Tommy Haas (19), Juan Carlos Ferrero (24), Olivier Rochus (26), Fernando Verdasco (28) and Kristof Vliegen (30).

Scot Andy Murray knocked off 31st seeded Chilean Nicolas Massu 6-1, 6-4, 6-4. Australian wild card Mark Philippoussis cranked 39 aces to take out 32nd seeded Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu 5-7, 7-6 (5), 6-3, 7-6 (12).

Russian Igor Kunitsyn ousted 21st seeded Frenchman Gael Monfils 5-7, 7-6 (7), 6-3, 6-4. In a battle of Swedes, veteran Jonas Bjorkman eliminated 2005 semifinalist Thomas Johansson (12) 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-1, 6-1.

Also falling victim on Day Two were Dominik Hrbaty (20) and Paradorn Srichaphan (29).

Two-time slam winner Marat Safin moved into Round 2 with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win over Britain's own Greg Rusedski. He'll next face Gonzalez.

First round action continues later today featuring two-time runner up Andy Roddick (3) and 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt (6) both in action.

Hingis Makes Successful Return: It was five years since Martina Hingis (12) took center stage at the All England Club.

Finally coming out of retirement this past January, the 1997 winner made a successful return- finishing off Olga Savchuk 6-2, 6-2 to move into the second round.

Also completing her match Tuesday was second seeded Kim Clijsters, who advanced with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Vera Zvonareva.

French Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenne (3) easily moved on with a 6-0, 6-1 triumph over Meng Yuan. Also into Round 2 was Roland Garros runner up Svetlana Kuznetsova (5), who dismissed Italian Romina Oprandi 6-3, 6-2.

Eighth seeded Swiss Patty Schnyder needed three sets to comeback and beat Antonella Serra Zanetti 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2. Also advancing was French Open semifinalist Nicole Vaidisova. The 10th seeded Czech posted a 7-5, 7-5 win over countrywoman Klara Koukalova.

Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova (15) was a three set winner over Maria Elena Camerin 6-4, 4-6, 6-1. She'll next face American Jamea Jackson, who also went three before defeating Kirsten Flipkens 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Other women's seeds who moved into the second round included Ai Sugiyama (18), Katarina Srebotnik (21), Marion Bartoli (24), Na Li (27), Anna Chakvetadze (30) and Gisela Dulko (31).

German Anna-Lena Groenefeld was ousted by Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova 3-6, 6-3, 6-1. It was Pironkova who also upset Venus Williams at the Australian Open in January.

Japan's Shinobu Asagoe sent 17th seeded Russian Maria Kirilenko packing 6-2, 7-6 (1).

Also falling was Sofia Arvidsson (28).

Other first round winners included Alicia Molik and Karolina Sprem.

Women's first round action continues Wednesday with defending champion Venus Williams (6), 2004 winner Maria Sharapova (4) and top seed Amelie Mauresmo all scheduled to play.