LONDON: Lu Yen-Hsun became the first Taiwanese man to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam when his third round opponent Florian Mayer retired during the third set here at Wimbledon on Friday.

Lu had taken the first two sets 6-4 and was a break up at 2-1 in the third when Mayer withdrew with an injury.

His victory equalled the feat of Taiwanese woman Hsieh Su-Wei, who reached the fourth round at the 2008 Australian Open.

Lu is also the first Asian to reach the last 16 at Wimbledon since Thailand`s Paradorn Srichaphan in 2003.

The 26-year-old broke Mayer`s serve in the ninth game of the first and second sets and successfully held his own serve on both occasions to take the initiative.
Lu`s previous best efforts at Wimbledon came when he reached the second round in 2004 and 2005. He had also reached the third round of the Australian Open in 2009.

BDST: 2321hrs, June 25, 2010
SA