It was not a good day to be a seed at Wimbledon. Martina Hingis, Svetlana Kuznetsova, David Nalbandian and American James Blake all were upset in their third round matches Friday at the All England Club.

The former 1997 champion Hingis fell to Ai Sugiyama in three sets 7-5, 3-6, 6-4.

Despite coming back to claim the second set and jumping out to a 3-0 lead, the 12th seeded 25 year-old Swiss couldn’t hold off a late charge by the 18th seeded Sugiyama. After squaring the match at three all, the 30 year-old veteran held twice more to pull in front 5-4, putting the onus on Hingis to hold serve or go home.

It was too much for her to overcome when she sprayed a forehand wide to give an excited Sugiyama the victory, moving the 2004 quarterfinalist into the Round of 16 where she’ll face Frenchwoman Severine Bremond, who eliminated Gisela Dulko (31) 7-6 (6), 5-7, 7-5.

Despite the setback, Hingis wasn’t too discouraged.

“In the past, losses made me stronger. I knew what I had to work on to continue to progress,” the five-time slam champion told reporters.

“There is less pressure on me now. I’m still not the favorite to win Grand Slams. Definitely I’m in that kind of circle to be able to, but not someone who has won it recently. The pressure’s not as big on me as some of the other players.”

Also falling was French Open runner up Kuznetsova. The fifth seeded Russian was sent packing by China’s Na Li (27) 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.

Using a solid forehand which produced some of her 30 winners to just 10 for her opponent, Li bounced back to pull the upset. With her comeback victory, the 24 year-old became the first Chinese woman to reach Round 4 at Wimbledon.

The road won’t get any easier. Li will next face 10th seeded Czech Nicole Vaidisova, who ousted Croat Karolina Sprem 7-5, 7-5.

Women’s seeds who weren’t victimized included Belgians Kim Clijsters and Justine-Henin Hardenne. The No. 2 seed Clijsters advanced with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Jie Zheng. She’ll next face Agnieszka Radwanska, who moved on with a 6-3, 6-2 triumph over Tamarine Tanasugarn.

Meanwhile, No. 3 seed Henin-Hardenne defeated Russian Anna Chakvetadze (30) 6-2, 6-3 to setup a Round of 16 match against 15th seeded Slovak Daniela Hantuchova, who posted a 6-4, 7-6 (2) victory over Katarina Srebotnik (21).

While two big names on the women’s side went home, the same thing happened to both Nalbandian and Blake in the men’s field.

The fourth seeded Argentine Nalbandian fell to Spaniard Fernando Verdasco (28) in straight sets 7-6 (9), 7-6 (9), 6-2.

The 22 year-old Verdasco captured a close first set tiebreak with a crosscourt forehand winner.

After ceasing early control of the second set with a break, he allowed the former 2002 runner up to break back and force another pivotal tiebreak. In it, Verdasco saved two set points before with some clutch serving before coming back to capture the tiebreak for a commanding two set lead.

It frustrated Nalbandian, who wasn’t able to mount a comeback in the third set. He didn’t get the better of the Spaniard from the baseline where Verdasco cracked most of his 48 winners to only 31 for the Argentine.

Despite requesting an earlier start so he could watch Argentina’s World Cup match against Germany, the 24 year-old made no excuses.

“I didn’t play good,” Nalbandian told the AP. “I couldn’t return any serve. I missed a lot of chances. That’s part of the game.”

He wasn’t the only big seed to fall. Into the third round for the first time, the eighth seeded Blake couldn’t finish off The Beast Max Mirnyi- falling in five sets 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 0-6.

During the seesaw battle, the 26 year-old 2005 U.S. Open quarterfinalist blew a two sets to one lead against the Belarussian.

After dropping a first set in which he failed to convert on four break chances, Blake responded by taking the second set to level the match. Suddenly with momentum and finding the range from the baseline for most of his 50 winners, he broke Mirnyi twice to easily claim the third set and pull within one of reaching the fourth round.

But that’s when Mirnyi turned the tide breaking Blake for 2-0 in the fourth, coasting 6-1 to force a deciding set.

In it, a weary Blake never recovered getting bageled to fall.

“[Mirnyi] played well and my serve stopped going in,” Blake lamented to reporters. “Max is one of the toughest guys to play against with just a second serve. A lot of guys I’ll be able to play and get in the points off my second serve with rallies. But he doesn’t give you time or chances to do that.”

Mirnyi will next meet doubles partner Jonas Bjorkman, who was a 7-5, 6-2, 6-1 winner over Daniele Bracciali. Verdasco will Radek Stepanek next after the 14th seeded Czech cameback from two sets down to beat Spain’s Juan Carlos Ferrero (24) 5-7, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-2, 11-9.

Top seeded Roger Federer moved into the Round of 16 with a 6-3, 7-6 (2), 6-4 win over Frenchman Nicolas Mahut to extend his grass court record win streak to 44 straight.

The three-time defending champion was broken for the first time in the tournament while trying to serve out the match. But as he usually does, Federer rose to the occasion to break Mahut, finishing him off with a backhand winner.

“I could have served a bit better, but you know it just happened,” Federer pointed out afterwards. “Yeah, I wonder why it happened. But look, thank God, I bounced back well and broke him straightaway. I think that was quite important, actually.”

He’ll meet 13th seeded Czech Tomas Berdych, who setup a fourth round rematch from the French Open with a 2-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7), 4-6, 8-6 victory over German Tommy Haas (19).

Also a Round 3 victor was 19 year-old Serbian Novak Djokovic, who eliminated Russian Mikhail Youzhny 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-3.

He’ll await the winner between seventh seeded Croatian Mario Ancic and Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka. They were level one set apiece before darkness halted play.

Murray and Hewitt Into Third Round: Both Andy Murray and Lleyton Hewitt moved into the third round Friday, completing their Round 2 matches.

The 19 year-old Murray from Great Britain finished off Frenchman Julien Benneteau 7-6 (5), 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 to setup an intriguing third round match against Andy Roddick.

“To play against Andy Roddick at Wimbledon is huge,” Murray said. “He is a two-time runner-up and it is an honor to be on the same court as him. I do not think he was going through his best patch when I played him in San Jose, so I will have to play a great match to stay close to him.”

Meanwhile, former 2002 winner Hewitt took the fifth set from Korean Hyung-Taik Lee to advance 6-7 (4), 6-2, 7-6 (6), 6-7 (5), 6-4. The sixth seeded Australian will play Belgian Olivier Rochus (26) later today for a spot in the Round of 16.

Also taking the court in the most anticipated third round match will be second seeded Rafael Nadal against eight-time slam winner and 1992 Wimbledon champ Andre Agassi.

STATEN ISLAND, NY -The Baby Bombers fell just short. Despite scoring the last four runs to cut a five run deficit to one, it wasn’t enough in their 6-5 loss against the Renegades before 4,053 at RCBP Friday night.

The tone was set immediately by Hudson Valley (7-4) when they batted around for five runs in the first inning against Staten Island southpaw Edgar Soto (0-1). After one out RBI singles by Matthew Fields and Matt Spring, the big blow was delivered by shortstop Jairo DeLaRosa whose two out bases clearing double broke the game open, making it an uphill climb for Staten Island (6-5).

“When you get behind the eight-ball early, it’s tough to come all the way back because it seems like you’re playing catch up all night,” manager Gaylen Pitts said. “We had our chances but you don’t win too many games like that when you get behind five or six runs in the first inning.”

“We got a few hits but we didn’t get them in the right times,” left fielder James Cooper said who came across to score Staten Island’s first run in the second on catcher Jose Gil’s RBI fielder’s choice.

“They had that one big inning- the first inning and we battled back. We just came up short tonight.”

Ultimately, it was some hustle from Hudson Valley centerfielder Maiko Loyola in the fourth which proved to be the difference. After singling and stealing second, he moved to third on William Stewart’s single to left field and took home on shortstop Mitch Hilligoss’ throw to second, making it 6-1.

“I take control. [Hilligoss] was a little slick. I take a good jump to score,” Loyola said. “Be aggressive in the rundown.”

Despite falling behind by five runs though for the second time, the Baby Bombers slowly chipped away to make things interesting. They got a run back a half inning later when Hudson Valley starter Woods Fines (1-0) balked in third baseman Tim O’Brien.

An inning later, they took advantage of another Fines balk to push across two more runs. After centerfielder Wilkins DeLaRosa reached on an infield hit and stole second, rightfielder Seth Fortenberry was hit by a pitch to put the first two runners aboard. Not coming to a complete stop for the second consecutive inning, Fines balked them to second and third. Both came around to score on fielder’s choices which suddenly made it 6-4.

The Baby Bombers pushed across another unearned run in the sixth when Hudson Valley’s DeLaRosa booted a Wilkins DeLaRosa sharp grounder, allowing Wilmer Pino to score from third. After DeLaRosa stole second for the second straight inning, Staten Island was in position to tie it. But the rally fell short when Renegade reliever Matt Larson froze Fortenberry with a 3-2 fastball on the inside corner.

“You got to swing the bat with two strikes,” Pitts pointed out. “You got to protect the plate because [HP Jon Saphire] set the tone early. He was going to ring you up. So you got to be hacking with two strikes.”

After Neal Frontz worked two scoreless innings, closer Erik Walker pitched a 1-2-3 ninth striking out two batters, including Hilligoss looking to end it.

“A good save,” Walker said after picking up his second save. “I just went out there and I can pitch all night when you got guys like Larson and Frontz in front of you, just come in and throw an inning. It’s not that tough…it makes your job a lot easier.”

Notes: For the second straight Friday night, the game was immediately followed by 15 minutes of fireworks. … After Soto was charged with all six runs, the Staten Island bullpen shutdown Hudson Valley the final five thanks to the trio of Toni Lara, Justin Keadle and Luke Trubee, who combined for 5.2 IP of scoreless relief allowing just one hit and combining for six strikeouts. Their effort was not lost on Pitts. “I was really impressed with our bullpen. They kept the game close and once we scored a few runs they kept us in the game and gave us a chance,” he said. … Staten Island travels to Hudson Valley for the rubber game before a concluding their four-game road trip with three at Aberdeen. They return to St. George next Wednesday to host the Cyclones.

When the men’s Wimbledon draw came out, the most anticipated third round matchup was retiring American Andre Agassi projected to face two-time rating French Open winner Spaniard Rafael Nadal. The savvy 36 year-old eight-time slam champion against the 20 year-old rising star.

It almost didn’t happen. While the 1992 Wimbledon champ Agassi was taking care of business dismissing Italian Andreas Seppi 6-4, 7-6 (2), 6-4 on Court One Thursday in London, Nadal was facing an uphill battle against 26 year-old unknown Robert Kendrick.

The 237th ranked American in the world had the heavily favorite world number two on the ropes. But a determined Nadal fought back from two sets down to earn a 6-7 (4), 3-6, 7-6 (2), 7-5, 6-4 second round win at Centre Court to finally setup that third round match against Agassi.

“It was very tough. He [Kendrick] played a very good match, a very complete match,” Nadal expressed to the AP. “I play with a very good attitude all the time because it was very tough, so I am very happy with the victory.”

It was that attitude which got him past the American qualifier in a very competitive match which lasted three hours and 41 minutes.

“He brings a lot to the court. I knew he wasn’t going to give up. He’s just got so much fight in him. You know, if I could just close it out here with a few more returns, I think, you know, different story,” Kendrick said.

“I’m disappointed….I had such a good time out there. It’s my first time on a center court of any Slam, like I said. Just didn’t go my way this time.”

After the American took the first two sets by dictating points with a serve which produced 28 aces along with some clutch net play, Nadal dug deep to stay alive in the third set. Becoming more aggressive 6-5 up, he setup two set points but Kendrick courageously saved both with an ace and volley winner before holding to force a pivotal tiebreak. In it, Nadal raised his level with a couple of big inside out forehand winners, cruising 7-2 to get back in the match.

Though he dropped the set and was tiring, Kendrick continued to hold serve in the fourth, forcing Nadal to stay in the match at 4-5. In fact, the Californian was two points from victory before the gritty Spaniard battled his way out of trouble to hold for five all. That’s when he made his move, breaking Kendrick for 6-5 on a double fault before serving out the set at love to suddenly square the match.

With his weary opponent running out of gas, Nadal secured the only break he needed in the fourth game of the fifth set on another double fault. But in a bizarre finish which saw Kendrick survive two match points thanks to consecutive overrules by the chair umpire including on a Nadal forehand which was actually just on the baseline, the No. 2 seed finally secured victory when a Kendrick backhand sailed wide.

Nadal now can focus on playing Agassi in what should be an exciting match.

“He [Agassi] has a very good level here. But I am in third round, too, no? I am playing good,” Nadal said. “This match is gonna be positive maybe. So we gonna see, no? I know I need play my best tennis for win, but I gonna try that, no?”

In his final Wimbledon, Agassi was very appreciative of the overwhelming support he continued to receive.

“This means the world to me,” the former world No. 1 said. “I missed three years here early in my career, and when I came back I was overwhelmed by the way the crowd received me. Now I’ve missed the last two years and come back again, and the crowd hasn’t changed. I want to get out there and do something special for them. I want to play well. I want to be my best.”

The 21-year veteran was extremely pleased with his improvement in his second round victory over Seppi.

“I felt much better. I was in a better rhythm. The game was a lot slower. It’s always a good sign when you’re seeing things unfold and playing a tempo where you feel like you’re dictating. It’s been too long since I just felt good and could at least enjoy what was going on.”

Also into Round 3 was 10th seeded Chilean Fernando Gonzalez, who battled back from two sets down to upend two-time slam winner Marat Safin 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

Meanwhile, it was an easier day for two-time runner up Andy Roddick. The 23 year-old third seeded American was a straight set 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 winner over German Florian Mayer, needing just 89 minutes to move into Round 3.

Fifth seeded Croatian Ivan Ljubicic also moved on with a 6-3, 7-6 (1), 7-5 triumph over American Justin Gimelstob. Czech Tomas Berdych (13) needed five sets to dispose of French magician Fabrice Santoro 6-4, 6-7 (6), 2-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4.

Also advancing was 15th seeded Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean, who posted a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory over Brit Jamie Delgado.

Other seeds who were into Round 3 included Australian runner up Marcos Baghdatis (18), Finn Jarkko Nieminen (22), Spaniard David Ferrer (23), Belgian Olivier Rochus (26) and Russian Dmitry Tursunov (27).

Serbia and Montenegro’s Novak Djokovic moved into the third round by knocking off 11th seeded Spaniard Tommy Robredo 7-6 (5), 6-2, 6-4. Georgian Irakli Labadze ousted 16th seeded Argentine Gaston Gaudio 6-4, 6-2, 6-3.

Other Round 2 winners included American Mardy Fish, Swede Jonas Bjorkman, German Philipp Kohlschreiber and Italian Daniele Bracciali.

There were two matches still in progress before darkness. Brit Andy Murray led Frenchman Julien Benneteau 7-6 (5), 6-4, 4-6. Meanwhile, 2002 champ Lleyton Hewitt (6) was tied with Korean Hyung-Taik Lee 6-7 (4), 6-2, 7-6 (6), 6-7 (5). Both second round matches will conclude later today.

Third round men’s action gets underway Friday featuring top seeded Roger Federer, fourth seeded David Nalbandian, seventh seeded Mario Ancic and eighth seeded American James Blake all vying for spots in the Round of 16.

Venus Williams turned it up just in time. On the brink of a mammoth upset, the defending Wimbledon champion fought off American Lisa Raymond’s strong challenge to comeback and win her second round match 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-2 on Court 1 at the All England Club Thursday.

“It’s all about surviving to another day,” Williams told reporters at a postmatch conference. “I felt that it would be such a shame to lose in the second round, because I am playing so well.”

Best known for her 56 career doubles titles, Raymond was two points away from her biggest singles win. Serving for a spot in the third round leading 7-6, 5-3 and 30-15, the 32 year-old from Pennsylvania couldn’t finish off the resilient three-time Wimbledon champ.

“She got a glimpse of me getting tight and getting upset with myself and realized, `Hey, I’m back in this match,’” Raymond lamented.

Staring defeat in the face, the 26 year-old sixth seed raised her level dramatically. Taking control of points earlier with kniving groundstrokes which produced 49 winners including a crosscourt backhand that setup break point, she broke back on an errant Raymond forehand. After easily holding serve to stay in the match, she broke once again before holding to run off the last five games of the set to square the match.

Williams rode the momentum into the third set by easily capturing the first four games before Raymond mercifully held serve to stop her unanswered streak of games at nine. By then the damage had been done. Williams held twice more finishing it off in style with her 11th ace.

“It was all very exciting,” she added. “It’s important to think about finding the solution before time runs out. That’s pretty much what I did.”

Not a moment too soon.

Also advancing into Round 3 was top seeded Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo, who had an easier time defeating Australian Samantha Stosur 6-4, 6-2.

2004 winner Maria Sharapova (4) also was victorious, eliminating American Ashley Harkleroad 6-2, 6-2. Also advancing was seventh seeded Russian Elena Dementieva in three sets over American Meghann Shaughnessy 5-7, 6-3, 7-5. Ninth seeded Russian Anastasia Myskina posted a 6-2, 6-1 win over Martina Muller.

Yet another Russian moved into the third round when 14th seeded Dinara Safina eliminated American Mashona Washington in three sets 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Also needing three sets was 15th seeded Slovak Daniela Hantuchova, who dismissed American Jamea Jackson 6-3, 4-6, 7-5. Another three set winner was 23rd seeded Spaniard Anabel Medina Garrigues, who outlasted Argentina’s Clarisa Fernandez 6-7 (7), 7-5, 11-9. Serbia and Montenegro’s Jelena Jankovic was a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 winner over American Vania King.

Italian Flavia Pennetta (16) eliminated a seventh American woman Laura Granville in easier fashion 6-2, 6-1.

While it wasn’t a great day for American women, Amy Frazier and Shenay Perry were two others besides Williams who were victorious. Frazier defeated Melinda Czink 6-2, 6-3 while Perry beat Great Britain’s Melanie South 7-6 (5), 6-2.

There were three women’s seeds who were upset. The highest seed to fall was No. 8 Patty Schnyder, who lost to Frenchwoman Severine Bremond 4-6, 6-1, 6-4. China’s Shuai Peng defeated Israel’s Shahar Peer (20) 6-4, 7-6 (5). Also eliminated was Frenchwoman Tatiana Golovin (29), who fell to Australian Nicole Pratt 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Other seeds who are into Round 3 included Ana Ivanovic (19), Katarina Srebotnik (20) and Elena Likhovtseva (25).

Women’s third round action gets underway Friday featuring French Open winner Justine Henin-Hardenne (3), 2005 U.S. Open champion Kim Clijsters (2), Nicole Vaidisova (10) and 1997 Wimbledon winner Martina Hingis (12) all looking to move into the Round of 16.

Sixth seeded American Venus Williams had more trouble getting on the court for her first round match than against her opponent. Forced to wait till Wednesday to play due to Monday’s rain which pushed the schedule back, the defending champion made quick work of American qualifier Bethanie Mattek 6-1, 6-0 at the All England Club Wednesday.

Williams will next play American Lisa Raymond, who benefited when her opponent Yaroslava Shvedova retired after leading 5-3.

Also easily into Round 2 was top seeded Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo, who double bageled Ivana Abramovic 6-0, 6-0. She’ll face Aussie Samantha Stosur, who eliminated Michaella Krajicek 7-5, 6-3.

2004 champ Maria Sharapova (4) also was an easy winner over Anna Smashnova 6-2, 6-0. The 19 year-old Russian will meet American Ashley Harkleroad next after the 21 year-old made Round 2 for the first time by defeating Jelena Kostanic 6-3, 6-2.

Elena Dementieva (7) was a 7-6 (5), 7-5 winner over Sania Mirza. She’ll next meet American Meghann Shaughnessy, who ousted Ukraine’s Alyona Bondarenko 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.

Other women’s Round 1 seeds who advanced were Anastasia Myskina (9), Dinara Safina (14), Flavia Pennetta (16), Ana Ivanovic (19), Shahar Peer (20), Annabel Medina Garrigues (23), Elena Likhovtseva (25), Jelena Jankovic (26) and Tatiana Golovin (29).

However, there were three upsets. Britain’s own Melanie South took out 11th seeded Italian Francesca Schiavone 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Austrian Sybille Bammer eliminated Frenchwoman Nathalie Dechy (22) 7-5, 7-5. American veteran Amy Frazier eliminated Mara Santangelo (32) 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Hingis Rolls On: The comeback Queen continued to roll. Martina Hingis (12) easily moved into the third round with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Tathiana Garbin. She’ll next face Japan’s Ai Sugiyama (18), who beat Akiko Morigami 6-2, 7-5.

Second seeded Belgian Kim Clijsters didn’t even have to step on the court to advance. She was a walkover beneficiary when opponent Victoria Kutuzova couldn’t play.

Meanwhile, French Open winner Justine Henin-Hardenne (3) dispatched of Ekaterina Bychkova 6-1, 6-2. The woman she beat at Roland Garros, fifth seeded Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova cameback to defeat Czech Kveta Peschke 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.

Nicole Vaidisova (10) was also victorious, posting a 6-1, 6-1 win over Katerina Bondarenko.

Other seeded women who moved into Round 3 were Na Li (27), Anna Chakvetadze (30) and Gisela Dulko (31).

Croatian Karolina Sprem also was a Round 2 winner, knocking out Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli (24) in three sets 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.

Andy Roddick passed his first test. In a year where nothing has come easy for the third seeded American, he outbattled 22 year-old Serbian Janko Tipsarevic- prevailing in an exciting four sets to win his first round match 6-7 (5), 6-4, 7-6 (6), 6-2 at Wimbledon Wednesday.

The 101st ranked player immediately proved to the two-time runner up that it would be a tough day just to move into the second round. In a match which which lasted three hours, the aggressive Tipsarevic used a solid backhand which produced some of his 50 winners to take the first set tiebreak.

Though Roddick went up an early break in the second set, his fiesty opponent continued to attack his serve. In one such game late in the set, the 23 year-old American saved five break points, including one with a remarkable lung volley winner. The huge service hold eventually allowed him to even the match.

“My whole thing is survive and advance,” Roddick told reporters after serving 28 aces and saving all nine break points he faced. “I’m glad I served myself out of some big situations because I haven’t done that really this year so far. My serve the last couple of weeks has gotten a lot better.”

Serving to stay in the third set, Roddick battled back from 0-30 down to avoid going down a set. It would setup a crucial tiebreak which swung the match in his favor.

After dropping a point on his serve to fall behind 0-3, the fiery American softly tossed his racket in the air at the chair umpire to protest what he believed to be a long Tipsarevic shot which wasn’t called. In odd fashion, as he went to pick up his racket and approached the umpire, he didn’t utter a word instead returning to the baseline.

Whatever took place, it seemed to work. He took the next four points. Eventually tied at 5-5, he got the break he needed when Tipsarevic missed a forehand to give him a set point on his racket. Roddick took full advantage with a huge service winner and pump of the fist to go up two sets to one.

From there, he carried the momentum into the fourth set, breaking Tipsarevic twice en route to a well earned victory.

There will be no time off for Roddick, who was forced to wait an extra day to play his first round match due to Monday’s washout. He’ll next take on German Florian Mayer, who eliminated Czech Robin Vik 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.

Another first round survivor was fifth seeded Croat Ivan Ljubicic, who outlasted 2005 quarterfinalist Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 3-6, 11-9. Ljubicic will next face American Justin Gimelstob, who posted a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Christophe Rochus.

While both Roddick and Ljubicic had to work extremely hard to win their opening matches, 2002 winner Lleyton Hewitt (6) had no such problems in ousting Filippo Volandri 6-1, 6-1, 6-3. He’ll face Korean Hyung-Taik Lee next. Lee eliminated Brazilian Flavio Saretta 7-6 (10), 6-3, 7-5.

Other Round 1 seeded winners included Sebastien Grosjean (15), Gaston Gaudio (16), Australian runner up Marcos Baghdatis (18), Jarkko Nieminen (22), David Ferrer (23) and Dmitry Tursunov (27).

However there were two upsets. Ninth seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko was eliminated by Colombia’s Alejandro Falla 2-6, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (8), 6-3. Meanwhile, in an all-American battle, Mardy Fish knocked off 17th seeded Robby Ginepri 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

Federer Too Much For Henman: In a much anticipated second round encounter, three-time defending champion Roger Federer was too much for English favorite Tim Henman to overcome. Despite a valiant effort from the four-time semifinalist early on, the 24 year-old Swiss number one prevailed in straight sets 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 to win his 43rd straight grasscourt match.

“It’s a big relief for me to come though this match against Tim today,” Federer expressed to the AP. “It’s not a lot of fun beating a friend like this, that’s for sure.

Friend or not, Federer displayed all his talents- finishing with 23 winners to only eight unforced errors and breaking Henman six times.

Despite the outcome, Henman wasn’t discouraged; instead choosing to give full credit to his gifted conqueror.

“I’m sure I’m not the first person to lose (a set 6-0) to him and I won’t be the last because he’s that good,” the 31 year-old 64th ranked Brit said.

“It’s disappointing that I couldn’t have a bigger impact in the match but I think for the large part you’re just not allowed to because of the level that he plays so continuously well. He’s the best player I’ve ever played against, full stop…and he was just too good today.”

Also advancing to the third round was fourth seeded David Nalbandian, who posted a 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 win over Arnaud Clement. Seventh seeded Mario Ancic moved on with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-1 triumph over Davide Sanguinetti.

Eighth seeded American James Blake advanced to the third round for the first time with a 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 victory over Yeu-Tzuoo Wang. He’ll next meet Max Mirnyi, who ousted Mark Philippoussis 7-6 (6), 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-3.

Other Round 2 seeds who advanced included Radek Stepanek (14), Tommy Haas (19), Juan Carlos Ferrero (24) and Fernando Verdasco (28).

Frenchman Nicolas Mahut upset Belgian Kristof Vliegen (30) 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 to also make the third round.

STATEN ISLAND, NY- George Kontos is already making the necessary adjustments. In just his second pro start, the 21 year-old Chicago native demonstrated why the Yankees selected him in the fifth round at this year’s MLB Draft- tossing five strong innings of one-run ball and striking out eight in a 2-0 Staten Island loss to Aberdeen Wednesday night at St. George.

“I felt good warming up and had all my stuff working,” he said after striking out seven of the last nine batters he faced. “I was locating my fastball, was throwing my breaking ball for strikes which is all you can ask for. Just felt good throwing all my stuff up there.”

The former Northwestern product finished second in the Big Ten with 84 strikeouts and also tossed seven complete games in 16 starts this past year. Anxiously awaiting where he would get picked in the draft three weeks ago, he was very pleased and a little relieved when the Yankees finally came calling.

“It was a great feeling, especially to get picked by the Yankees,” Kontos expressed.

“It was a little frustrating in the early rounds going by not seeing my name but then the Yankees drafted me and it was great. It was one of the best days of my life.”

Kontos has noticed one major difference between college and the minor leagues.

“Northwestern, you just got to go out there and you got to win. It’s college. But here, there’s a little bit more structure and from the first start to the next start,” he pointed out.

“I worked a little bit out of the stretch. I wasn’t as balanced my first start as I was this one. I just worked on staying back and not leaning forward and letting my arm drag. So I just worked on getting my arm up with my body.”

After going only two innings in his Baby Bomber debut last week against the Cyclones, the hard work paid off.

“I don’t think they hit any sliders today,” he noted after finishing well by fanning seven of the final nine before turning it over to the bullpen.

“My slider was breaking real sharp. I was throwing it well, starting on the outer half and then letting it break down in the dirt and just chases it. I think I struckout every guy on a breaking ball except for one guy….It was definitely easier establishing strikes getting ahead and then finishing off with the breaking balls.”

Kontos is also an huge fan of Roger Clemens and even sees some similarities between himself and the 43 year-old seven-time Cy Young winner.

“I’ve felt that him and I have very similar mechanics and we’re both very competitive, very dedicated,” he pointed out.

“Obviously I have a ways to go before I can compare myself to him but he’s definitely someone I try to be like.”

In his free time, Kontos especially enjoys hunting.

“My Dad’s a hunter and used to drag me with him just to have some company. But now I have picked it up as one of my hobbies also,” he said.

“It’s fun getting out there spending time and doing that kind of things.”

In the mean time, he’ll be doing all his hunting this summer for the Baby Bombers against opposing batters in the New York-Penn League.

STATEN ISLAND, NY- Good pitching and defense will always win ballgames. That’s precisely what happened when solid Aberdeen pitching and D silenced the Staten Island bats- shutting them out 2-0 to take the three-game series before 2,563 at RCBP Wednesday night.

The tone was set in the first inning when shortstop Todd Davison took away a Mitch Hilligoss hit which would’ve put runners on the corners with only one out. Instead, he dove to his left and started a spectacular 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.

“We hit some balls hard but they made all the plays and we didn’t have much luck,” skipper Gaylen Pitts pointed out. “We took a lot of fastballs in hitter’s counts. We got to be a little more aggressive early in the game.”

“We came out in a lowscoring game and took advantage of our opportunities and got the W,” Aberdeen third baseman Robert Marconi said after also turning in a gem of his own in the win.

“Every single pitcher that threw today- Morris, Josh and Lebron- all of them threw the ball well and kept it down. We played good defense out there and got the outs.”

A trio of Ironbird (5-3) pitchers combined on the six-hit shutout, which was also the first time in nine games the Baby Bombers (5-4) didn’t score a run this season. Starter Cory Morris went four solid innings allowing one hit and striking out four before giving way to reliever Josh Tamba, who tossed four scoreless to improve to 1-0. Closer Luis Lebron pitched the ninth, picking up his third save.

“I felt fine. I felt great….Just go out and try to mix my pitches up. Get ready to go back to Ottawa and just hope to get it right,” Morris said.

Despite a strong second outing from George Kontos in which he allowed just one run on five hits and fanned eight, Staten Island couldn’t string together a big inning to support the hardluck loser who fell to 0-1.

“I felt good warming up and had all my stuff working,” the Northwestern product said after striking out seven of the last nine batters he faced. “I was locating my fastball, was throwing my breaking ball for strikes which is all you can ask for. Just felt good.”

Aberdeen centerfielder Danny Figueroa’s one out double which scored Angel Avila in the third proved to be the difference.

That along with some nifty glovework by the Ironbirds kept the Baby Bombers at bay. Particularly the fifth when they threatened to tie the score.

Only some clutch D allowed Tamba to escape his first inning of work. It started when Marconi turned in the play of the night with a diving backhand stop of a Francisco Cervilli hotshot. “There’s always hard luck but I made a nice diving play and got up, threw him out and got him,” said the third baseman.

But the threat wasn’t over. After Seth Fortenberry singled, another key play was turned in by Davison who robbed Wilkins DeLaRosa of a hit, getting a 6-4 force. After Wilmer Pino singled for the second time to put runners on first and second, Tamba got out of trouble by inducing Mitch Hilligoss into a 1-4 fielder’s choice.

The Ironbirds tacked on an insurance run in the sixth off SI reliever Paul Patterson thanks to Corey Shafer’s runscoring single to center which plated Brandon Snyder.

“Just trying to stay back. Less than two outs man on third, that’s what we got to do. We want to a high percentage on that. Put the ball in play and see what happens,” Shafer said after going 3-for-4.

“The pitching was outstanding today. We just gave them two runs and got the win.”

Another Baby Bomber rally was thwarted in the seventh when they stranded first and second with one out. After consecutive hits by Cervelli and Fortenberry, Tamba got DeLaRosa to fly out to center and Pino on a comebacker.

After receiving two scoreless innings from setup man Justin Keadle, the Baby Bombers’ last chance was erased quickly in their final at bat. After third baseman Tony Roth reached on an infield hit, he was thrown out trying to steal second by Aberdeen backstop Snyder 2-6. Lebron followed that up by getting Brian Aragon to chase a ball in the dirt and then got Cervelli on a fly to right to end the ballgame.

“Give them the credit. They made all the plays,” Pitts added. “We had our chances. We left men on base.”

Notes: The game took only 2:15 to play. … Staten Island Yankee pitchers struckout 13 Ironbirds in the loss. … After entering with just four hits in 23 plate appearances, RF Fortenberry was 2-for-2 on the night. … Both teams combined to leave 30 runners on base. The Baby Bombers stranded 17 while Aberdeen left 13. … Staten Island begins a three-game series at Hudson Valley tonight before returning to St. George Friday.

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.

STATEN ISLAND, NY- For Rolando Japa, pitching in the Yankee farm system is a dream come true.

The lifelong Yankee fan’s dream was realized when his favorite team signed him as a nonroster free agent on November 26, 2003.

“I felt good because that’s the team I wanted to sign with and that I got lucky enough when they were the ones who took me on,” Japa said after tossing six hitless innings and striking out four en route to his second win of the season for the Baby Bombers.

“I didn’t know I was throwing a no-hitter. I was focused on every inning.”

“[Japa] was awesome today and definitely kept us in the game. That’s all you ask for your pitchers. He definitely had a hell of a day,” noted first baseman Kyle Larsen.

“He’s got great stuff. He’s got electric stuff,” boasted left fielder Brian Aragon. “We’re real confident when he’s on the mound and we feed off his confidence and he was out there tonight just throwing a lot of strikes, letting us make plays for him and he just had a great night.”

Last year, the 21 year-old Dominican Republic native helped pitch the Gulf Coast Yankees to a championship.

“I felt great because I pitched the first game in the playoffs and we won and that was one of my best games,” said the righthander who enjoys playing basketball and listening to rap music in his spare time.

“That’s the highlight of my career so far.”

With him hailing from the same country, Japa’s favorite major league ballplayer is the Mets’ Pedro Martinez. The three-time Cy Young winner has been instrumental in helping out his fellow countryman by giving him some friendly advice.

“[Pedro] has talked to me about how to pitch and how to work hard and work as hard as he does to get to the top.”

“I look to throw the pitches that he throws because they’re obviously good pitches, Japa commented on whether he tries to pattern his game like Pedro.

“I’m not trying to imitate at him at all. I’m trying to do my own thing my own way.”

If he continues to pitch the way he did Tuesday, it won’t be long before he makes a name for himself.