Becker wins on his return

BORIS BECKER made a successful return to competition on one of his favourite courts yesterday, showing no effects of the injury that forced him out of the French Open.

The centre court at Wimbledon will forever rank as the German's favourite spot thanks to his three titles there in the 1980s.

But the centre court at Queen's Club has also seen him claim three London grass court titles, including the first of his career in 1985 just ahead of his first Wimbledon title, and that was where he made his return yesterday.

The 28-year-old Australian Open champion scored a 6-4 6-2 triumph in just under an hour over Chris Haggard, a 25-year-old South African who this week qualified for his first full tour event.

It was the 99th grass court match victory for the German second seed and took him into the third round. All of the eight leading seeds had first-round byes.

Haggard gave him a good run for his money, for one set, until he overhit two forehands from near the net that both went out to hand the German a service break in the seventh game.

From there Becker rolled to a convincing triumph in his first match since he sustained an injury to his right thigh during the World Team Cup in Dusseldorf last month.

Becker said later he had not forgotten his triumph here in 1985 when he beat South African Johan Kriek 6-3 6-2.

"It is still very clear to me, having match point 11 years ago. It is very vivid even though I have travelled a lot of miles since then."

He said he had two weeks of treatment in Munich after his injury in Dusseldorf.

"I started hitting 10 days ago, came to London last week and I have had a lot of good grass court practice.

"At this stage I can say everything is perfect," he added.

His triumph in the Australian Open in January, his first grand slam success in five years, has given him added impetus for Wimbledon which starts in less than two weeks.

"I had a great Wimbledon last year," he said of his achievement in reaching the final where he lost in four sets to Pete Sampras.

"In the back of my mind, and hopefully in the back of other players' minds, is that once I get going I still have a chance of going a long way," he said.