| Wednesday, 25 June 2008 Written by Ian Baker Traditionally the first Wednesday was the day the doubles action got under way at Wimbledon. Now, of course, men’s and ladies’ doubles take place from the first day. But the majority of first-round ties took place on this first Wednesday, meeting with tradition. In the ladies’ competition, third seeds Kveta Peschke and Rennae Stubbs got the day and their own campaign off to a flying start. Last year’s quarter-finalists won 6-2, 6-2 against Austrian/German pair Sybille Bammer and Martina Muller. Following on from Tuesday’s British successes, Anne Keothavong and Melanie South notched up another home win. Keothavong and South beat Chinese duo Chunmei Ji and Shengnan Sun 7-6, 6-4. Top seeds Cara Black and Liezel Huber were a bonus match for the Centre Court crowds, thanks to the early finish of other games. The holders and number one seeds did not disappoint, convincingly beating Natalie Grandin of South Africa and Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova in straight sets, 6-1, 6-0. In the men’s doubles first round, Chris Eaton was aiming to follow up his spectacular singles win on Tuesday alongside partner Alexander Slabinsky. Brits Eaton and Slabinsky ran top seeds Bob and Mike Bryan close in the first set. The match was level at 5-5 before the American twins, winners in 2006, upped the tempo to eventually win 7-5, 6-1, 6-4. Jonas Bjorkman, meanwhile, lives to fight another day at SW19. The Swede, playing in his last Wimbledon, and partner Kevin Ullyett of Zimbabwe comfortably beat Australian pair Paul Hanley and Todd Perry 6-4, 6-4, 7-5.
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