Agassi and Sampras out

At this year's Wimbledon shock results are like London buses; you wait an age for one and then three arrive together.

After two days remarkable only for the predictability of the results, the 116th championships came to life under blue skies yesterday as former champions Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi crashed out along with the Russian Marat Safin, tipped by some as a possible winner this year.

Sampras was dumped out by unheralded George Bastl of Switzerland on the notorious court two, dubbed the graveyard of champions such is its capacity to upset the established order.

Sampras fought back from two sets down to take the match into a decisive set, but could not find the masterful game that has won him seven Wimbledon titles.

Sampras insisted he would be back: "You know I'm not going to end my time here with that loss."

The centre court did little for Agassi, however. The 1992 champion and No 3 seed was swept aside by Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan in straight sets.

"I'm a little stunned," said Agassi. "I played a very average match against a guy who was taking it to me and deserved to win."

The No 2 seed Safin also fell on the centre court, defeated by Belgian Oliver Rochus in four sets.

The unexpected results were good news for Britons Greg Rusedski and Tim Henman. Sampras, Agassi and Safin were all possible opponents for Rusedski, who progressed to the third round yesterday with a 6-1, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 win over South Korea's Hyung-Taik Lee.

In the other half of the draw Tim Henman resumes his challenge today against the Australian Scott Draper.