Australian Open champion Petr Korda had his pre-Wimbledon plans ruined when he was beaten in the second round of the Halle Open by the Dutch doubles specialist Paul Haarhuis yesterday.

The 30-year-old Czech, who was close to taking away Pete Sampras' world number one spot in April, still hopes to achieve it by capturing the American's Wimbledon title in three weeks time, but saw his grass court build-up aborted in straight sets.

Korda lost 6-7 (4/7), 4-6 and contributed to his downfall with double faults on big points, but he often returned serve brilliantly and did not get the rub of the green on a damp and increasingly treacherous court.

After going a break down early on the left-handed Czech recovered well, breaking back and gaining further chances to break in the seventh and eleventh games. But once Korda was unable to convert them Haarhuis, winner of the French Open doubles title last week, began to serve, volley and half-volley increasingly well.

It began to go wrong for Korda on his second break point at 6-5 when a dipping service return earned him an attempt at a backhand pass from a good position well inside the baseline.

But the ball took an eccentric bounce and the world number three made an air shot.

Haarhuis' compatriot Richard Krajicek, the 1996 champion, had to escape from a tight corner before surviving 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 against the young German Tommy Haas. Krajicek was a set down and had two break points against him in the opening game of the second set before he found his service rhythm by adjusting his toss.

But, like Haarhuis, Krajicek too was aided by double faults on big points, Haas serving two in succession to lose his serve and the second set with it.

Insurers are facing a massive half a million pound pay-out after rain again disrupted play on the third day of the Stella Artois Tournament at Queen's.

Only 28 minutes play was possible yesterday with just the centre court in use between the frequent and sometimes heavy showers. Up to £250,000 is already due to be paid to a record first-day crowd after the wettest first day in the tournament's history on Monday.

And with less than two hours play possible for a second day spectators will be entitled to a full refund.

Pat Rafter's match with Scott Draper was the only game to start, the US Open champion from Australia trailing compatriot Draper 3-4 when play was finally called off.

Play will begin today on the centre-court at 10:30 a.m. with British number two Tim Henman taking on Sargis Sargsian of Armenia. That will be followed by the completion of Rafter's match.