A FIRST FOR INDIA

Eighteen-year-old Sania Mirza nearly claimed an upset in the first-ever appearance at Wimbledon by an Indian woman, pushing no. 5 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova to the brink before losing 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-4. Kuznetsova denied her this time, stabbing a cross-court volley for a winner on break point in the third set at 5-4. What was Mirza’s reaction at the time? “Damn it!” she told reporters. Her T-shirt also offered some words for the audience: “Well behaved women rarely make history.”

DEFENDING CHAMP ROLLS

Roger Federer remains on cruise control after winning his second-round match against Ivo Minar of the Czech Republic in less than 90 minutes, 6-4, 6-4, 6-1. Federer has yet to drop a set and likely will not for at least a few more rounds. Yesterday, he ventured to the net a bit, serving and volleying 18 times. It hardly mattered, though, as Minar made numerous poor decisions, including a slew of ill-advised drop shots. “He missed them all,” Federer said.

IRVIN CAN’T TOUCH CLIJSTERS

Kim Clijsters made quick work of American Marissa Irvin yesterday, winning 6-1, 6-1 in 44 minutes. The Belgian lost just 21 points in the match. The 15th-seeded Clijsters should have another easy match before she meets Lindsay Davenport in the fourth round. Davenport was nearly as efficient yesterday, defeating Jamea Jackson 6-0, 6-3 in 53 minutes.

SAFIN STANDS DESPITE NET LOSS

In the middle of a match between two titans of serve – Marat Safin and Mark Philippoussis – the net on Centre Court decided it had taken enough abuse and collapsed between points. After a five-minute delay, the Wimbledon grounds crew forced it back into action, and Safin proceeded to bounce Philippoussis out of the tournament, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4), 6-4. If the Russian does not implode, he could meet Federer in the semifinals.

DON’T LOOK NOW…

Amelie Mauresmo defeated Maria Sanchez Lorenzo, 6-1, 6-3, and looks fully recovered from her horrendous loss at a grass-court warm-up tournament in Eastbourne. Maybe this year she will avoid a heartbreaking loss in the late rounds. Yesterday, she lost just four points on her serve for the whole match. “That’s pretty good,” she said when informed of the feat.