Maybe the ball boy will have more luck returning than Greg?

And even though Ivanisevic served the match of his life, sending down 33 aces and nailing nearly 70% of his first serves, in the end it was Rusedski who let himself down.

Though he won the first point of the match on Ivanisevic's serve, he did not win another until the end of the set.

The Croatian himself admits he has never played better, but Rusedski was clearly startled at his inability to get near the ball.

"All I kept seeing were aces going by. When you're just changing sides it gets demoralising and the pressure starts to mount."

Step up

Rusedski spent the last six months coming back from injury and remodelling his game.

This defeat has made him realise he must now improve his return if he is to step up to the next level.

"I am going to have to get better if I am going to have a shot at winning the championships."

He added: "Next year I want to come back in the league of guys like Todd Martin, Andre Agassi or Tim Henman who can get a few more returns down.

"When those guys get a chance like a love-30 or 15-30 they're going to make the return especially if it is a second serve, no matter how hard it is.

"And that's what I am going to have to do, to step up a level, if I am going to have a shot at winning here."

Ivanisevic is triumphant

Like last year when Rusedski lost in the first round to Vince Spadea, the Briton plans to cut himself off from tennis completely until the end of Wimbledon fortnight.

"It's just so disappointing. I worked so hard to come back from last year and though I kept saying 'one match at a time', deep down you feel you have a chance to win.

"So on Tuesday I will leave the country to go on holiday and I will not be watching any tennis."

He will then begin preparations for the American hardcourt season, which starts in Los Angeles in two weeks.

It will be the first time he has played on that circuit for three or four years.

"There is only one way to go with my tennis game and that is up. I will keep on improving and looking to the future," said Rusedski.

To add insult to injury, as Rusedski left the Wimbledon complex, news was breaking that Sampras had been knocked out of his side of the draw.