Play was suspended at Wimbledon just past 5pm on Monday after light rain returned to disrupt the opening day of the championships.

Australian Alicia Molik, ranked 75th, won the first game against 69th-ranked Russian Anastasia Rodionova before break of almost two hours.

Men's champions Roger Federer earlier took advantage of a break in the weather to reach the second round with a straight sets win over Russia's Teimuraz Gabashvili after rain had delayed the opening matches by nearly three hours.

The grasscourt grand slam is expected to be badly disrupted with showers forecast for much of the opening week.

Third seed Andy Roddick also squeezed in his first round match, getting past fellow American Justin Gimelstob.

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