Vaidisova sails into second round at Wimbledon

LONDON, June 27 (Reuters) Czech teenager Nicole Vaidisova, twice a grand slam semi-finalist, moved smoothly into the second round at Wimbledon today with a workmanlike 7-6 6-2 victory over Italy's Karin Knapp.

Vaidisova's all-court game and powerful serve were enough to wear down the determined Italian, who is ranked 55 places below the world number 10.

The Czech 18-year-old, already the holder of six titles, has been a semi-finalist at the Australian and French Opens and also reached the fourth round at Wimbledon last year.

In a rain-interrupted match, Vaidisova was taken to a tiebreak in the first set after letting slip a 4-2 lead. But she was never threatened in the second set, played in swirling wind on an outside court.

REUTERS BJR HS1940