Kuznetsova enjoys birthday win

LONDON, June 27 (Reuters) Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova celebrated her 21st birthday with a 6-3 6-2 win over Italian qualifier Romina Oprandi in the Wimbledon first round today.

The fifth seed and French Open runner-up made good use of her power on a green court two.

Kuznetsova rattled down five aces in the first set and, after saving break points on her own serve, broke Oprandi to lead 3-2 before completing a comfortable 57-minute victory.

In the second round she plays Czech Kveta Peschke who beat Kristina Brandi of Puerto Rico 6-3 6-0.

With almost all yesterday's play wiped out by rain, Wimbledon was playing catch-up today when drier weather was forecast.

Men's defending champion Roger Federer will try to set a new professional era record of 42 consecutive wins on grass by completing victory over Frenchman Richard Gasquet. Federer led 6-3 1-2 when rain halted play yesterday.

French Open champion Rafael Nadal tests his sore shoulder against Briton Alex Bogdanovic while 1992 champion Andre Agassi plays Serbian Boris Pashanski in what will be the 36-year-old American's last match at the grasscourt grand slam if he loses.

American Andy Roddick, the third seed and runner-up to Federer in 2004 and 2005, faces another Serbian Janko Tipsarevic.

Women's second seed Kim Clijsters and Switzerland's Martina Hingis both seek to finish matches started on Monday while French Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenne opens her bid against China's Yuan Meng.

Reuters DH RN1806