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June 26, 2001

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Roddick enjoys debut at Wimbledon

American teenager Andy Roddick marked his Wimbledon debut with a no-nonsense 6-4 6-4 7-6 victory over Swiss qualifier Ivo Heuberger on Monday.

The 18-year-old, hailed as the future of American tennis by compatriots Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, had too much power for his opponent in only his sixth tour-level match on grass.

Andy Roddick Roddick broke serve in the opening game of the match and reeled off a series of crushing forehand winners which, combined with his giant serve, proved too much for Heuberger, the world number 137.

As dusk began to fall Roddick went for the jugular, winning the third set tie-breaker 7-0.

"I was enjoying myself out there," Roddick said. "I lost my concentration a bit in the third set but I was totally focused going into the breaker."

Roddick said he enjoyed the atmosphere on court 18, a show court overlooked by other areas.

"I can feel it, people are pretty excited, that's fun for me. I like a pretty hyped-up atmosphere," said Roddick who said he was enjoying his first taste of Wimbledon.

"It's great. To actually be here, to be competing is a good feeling."

In the second round Roddick faces an intriguing battle with 11th-seeded Swede Thomas Johansson, winner of two grass tournaments in succession before Wimbledon.

"There's no doubt Thomas is playing great tennis at the moment. He's on a roll and I'm going to have to play great tennis to beat him," said Roddick.

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