WIMBLEDON Agassi is too much for Delgado

The 33-year-old opened his 13th Wimbledon with a win over his younger rival.
WIMBLEDON, England (AP) -- Andre Agassi's resume can be a tad intimidating, as Jamie Delgado will attest.
There's the No. 1 ranking at age 33, an unprecedented achievement. And there's the career Grand Slam among his eight major titles, the first of which came at Wimbledon way back in 1992.
It's enough to make an opponent's knees buckle, which perhaps made Agassi's task a little easier Tuesday.
He began his 13th Wimbledon by beating Delgado 6-4, 6-0, 5-7, 6-4.
"I don't know how old he is, but when I was like 13 and stuff, I used to watch him play," said Delgado, 26.
"To actually see him and think it's my time to play against him, for sure it makes you think. Definitely the first time you see him, you think, 'That's Double A.' "
Experience teacher
Delgado was a wild card ranked No. 456, and his record in major events is 2-8.
But experience taught Agassi not to count on an early round mismatch.
Seven times he has lost in the opening round of a Grand Slam tournament.
"I tell you, getting through the first one is the highest priority," he said.
That's especially true at Wimbledon, where chances to break serve can be infrequent and bounces on the lawn capricious.
"So little determines a match on grass, let alone a set," Agassi said. "You're always on edge until you have the match put away."
The elimination of six seeded men suggested that Agassi's unease was warranted.
Among those losing in the first round were 2002 semifinalist Xavier Malisse, French Open runner-up Martin Verkerk and French Open semifinalist Guillermo Coria.
That left 11 seeded men on the sidelines, including defending champion Lleyton Hewitt, who lost Monday to 6-10 qualifier Ivo Karlovic.
As usual in the early rounds, there were fewer surprises among the seeded women.
Nos. 1 through 18 reached the second round, but three seeded players lost Tuesday -- No. 19 Meghann Shaughnessy, No. 26 Alexandra Stevenson and No. 32 Tamarine Tanasugarn.
Serena Williams wins
Top-seeded Serena Williams began her bid for a second successive Wimbledon title by beating fellow American Jill Craybas 6-3, 6-3. French Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenne, seeded third, defeated Julia Vakulenko 7-5, 6-1, and No. 8 Jennifer Capriati needed only 42 minutes to beat Myriam Casanova 6-1, 6-3.
While Williams is favored to win her sixth Grand Slam title, Agassi is the men's favorite, especially with Hewitt out and seven-time champion Pete Sampras in semiretirement.
A title for Agassi 11 years after his first Wimbledon championship would be unprecedented.
The longest gap between Wimbledon titles for a man is nine years -- by Bill Tilden, who won in 1920, '21 and '30.
Agassi is seeded second but has moved ahead of Hewitt atop the rankings, making him the oldest No. 1 player ever.
He's especially proud of the accomplishment because the rankings are based on performance over the past 12 months.
Impressed
"To be No. 1 now, to me, is a phenomenal accomplishment at this age," Agassi said. "You don't have to just play well, you have to play well and a lot, and that's not so easy for me anymore.
"I have to really pick and choose and make sure I'm looking out after my body and my mind. To accomplish it now means a lot to me."
Wimbledon is just Agassi's ninth tournament this year, but he's tied with Roger Federer for the most men's titles with four. That includes the Australian Open, his eighth Grand Slam title.
Delgado also lost to Agassi at Wimbledon in 2001.
"I think he's playing as well as he ever has," the Englishman said. "He's going to be right up to win this tournament possibly. It's amazing."