Australian Wayne Arthurs has bowed out of Wimbledon for almost certainly the last time after losing his third-round match against Swede Jonas Bjorkman.

In a match dubbed the battle of the veterans, 35-year-old Bjorkman comfortably beat the 36-year-old Victorian in straight sets.

Bjorkman, the No.19 seed, won 6-2 6-1 6-4 against qualifier Arthurs to set up a fourth-round clash against Czech No.7 seed Tomas Berdych.

After the match was rescheduled following Saturday's near wash-out, rain again delayed the start of the match by more than three hours then interrupted play for more than two more during the third set.

A series of unforced errors by Arthurs helped Bjorkman race to a 5-0 lead in the second set.

Arthurs struggled to stage a come back in the third, but Bjorkman converted the second of two match points with a forehand volley to claim victory.

The Australian veterans' loss is likely to signal the end of his career after he suggested during qualifying he would retire once his 2007 Wimbledon campaign ended.

Watching from the sidelines was Australian doubles champion Todd Woodbridge, who has helped coach Bjorkman and partnered Arthurs in Davis Cup doubles matches.

Australian High Commissioner and former federal communications minister Richard Alston also took time out from watching the action on centre court from the exclusive royal box to join a small team of supporters cheering on Arthurs.

Arthurs' loss leaves Lleyton Hewitt as the only Australian left in the singles draw at the All England Club.

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