Johansson becomes first seed to bow out

LONDON, June 27 (Reuters) Former Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson became the first seed to exit Wimbledon this year when he was beaten 3-6 7-6 6-1 6-1 by fellow Swede Jonas Bjorkman today.

Twelfth seed Johansson, a semi-finalist last year, had won six of their 10 previous meetings but Bjorkman proved to be a stubborn opponent in their rain-delayed match at the grasscourt championships and ran away with the last two sets.

Bjorkman, who has captured the men's doubles title here three times, will next face either Frenchman Florent Serra or Czech Lukas Dlouhy.

REUTERS DH RAI2028