LONDON, June 20 (UPI) -- Two-time defending champion Roger Federer, former winner Lleyton Hewitt and Australian Open champ Marat Safin were opening-round winners Monday at Wimbledon.
In the first match, world No. 1 Federer of Switzerland, also the U.S. Open champion, beat Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.
Federer, 23, is trying to be the first man to win three straight titles here since Pete Sampras won four straight from 1997-2000.
Federer, who owns four career Grand Slam titles, beat American Andy Roddick in last year's Wimbledon finale.
Hewitt defeated Belgian Christophe Rochus 6-3, 6-3, 6-1. Hewitt won here in 2002. He was this year's Aussie Open runner-up to Safin and last year's U.S. Open runner-up to Federer.
Safin, a Russian, defeated Thai Paradorn Srichaphan 6-2, 6-4, 6-4. Safin also won the 2000 U.S. Open.
