Rusedski still confident after defeat to Bjorkman

Greg Rusedski remained in an upbeat mood about his Wimbledon prospects despite being outplayed by Jonas Bjorkman in their Samsung Open semi-final here yesterday.

The British No 2 had no answer to the Swede's brilliant returning as he lost 6-3, 6-4. It meant that the third seed was denied another much-needed competitive match on grass before Wimbledon starts on Monday and also the chance to reclaim the title he won in 1997.

Yet the 28-year-old was optimistic about his chances at the All England Club, where he feels he has a genuine opportunity to become the first home winner since 1936.

"I'm pleased I've got four matches this week. I've not played three matches back to back in a long time," said Rusedski. "That's the positive thing for me. I'm happy with the matches I've got and I've cleaned up a few areas. The Magnus Larsson match was good for [he recovered from a set and 3-0 down] and this gives me an extra day of rest as I might be playing on Monday.

"I'm very positive about how I'm going to play at Wimbledon. Goran Ivanisevic did not win one match last year going in, and won the title. I just need to start a little better in my matches."

Not for the first time this week, the British No 2 struggled with his first service game and Bjorkman took full advantage, breaking serve on his way to a 3-0 lead in the first set. From then on the Briton held serve with ease, but was unable to force a break point on Bjorkman's serve and the Swede duly served out to take the set 6-3.

A succession of brilliant returns from Bjorkman then had Rusedski under severe pressure in the second set. After a 67-minute rain delay, which came when Rusedski was leading 2-1, the Briton finally cracked in the seventh game for what proved to be the crucial break of serve.

"It feels great to be in a final again. I have not been for a long time," said Bjorkman, who knocked out the top seed, Andy Roddick, in the first round and looks likely to give the No 1 seed, Lleyton Hewitt of Australia, a tough test in the first round at Wimbledon.

Hewitt yesterday withdrew from his quarter-final with Arnaud Clement, of France, at the ATP Tour event in 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands, because of a stomach virus.

Bjorkman will face the Middlesex-based Wayne Arthurs in today's final after the Australian qualified for his first tournament final. Arthurs defeated Michel Kratochvil, of Switzerland, 7-6, 6-2.

"At the age of 31 to be playing my first tour final is very exciting. It's been a long time coming," said the left-hander, who possesses one of the best serves in the world.

Nicolas Escude, of France, is still hoping to be fit for Wimbledon despite a recurrence of an abdominal injury. Reports yesterday had initially suggested that he had pulled out of the championships.