BOG STANDARD

KING of the bottlers Alex Bogdanovich became Wimbledon's biggest all-time loser as the Brits equalled their worst wipe-out in history. On a day of crying shame which left the Union Jack at half-mast, Anne Keothavong broke down in tears after her shock defeat by Patricia Mayr as the strawberry fields of SW19 became a showcase for Britain's Rot Talent. And teenager Daniel Evans, beaten in straight sets by Russia's No.12 seed Nikolay Davydenko, summed up the prevailing mood of desolation when he admitted: "I might not be a Tennis player soon - I might be stacking shelves." Last night Andy Murray and Elena Baltacha stood between the hapless Brits and total annihilation as their compatriots fell by the wayside in an unprecedented meltdown less than 36 hours after the first point. Never, in Wimbledon's Open era going back to 1968, has there been fewer than two British survivors in the men's and ladies singles after the first round. Despite 15-year-old Laura Robson's promise and Josh Goodall's brave five-set defeat by Frenchman Michael Llodra yesterday, that is a paltry return on the pounds 25million-a-year pumped into the game nationally by the Lawn Tennis Association. Nowhere was the chronic gap between investment and dividend illustrated more forcefully than serial loser Bogdanovich's record-breaking slice of Wimbledon history: eight first-round matches, eight defeats. Only Chilean Patricio Cornejo, who retired 27 years ago with an identical record to Bogdanovich, can equal such a dismal sequence in the Open era. Yet Bogdanovich, nicknamed A-Bog on the ATP circuit, has been spoon-fed eight wild cards to churn out the same old story - and he has made pounds 75,830 for being an eight-time loser at the first hurdle. The world's No.191, an improvement on his ranking of 242 a year ago, came quietly against Czech dark horse Tomas Berdych 6-3 6-4 6-4. But he insisted his terrible record was down to bad luck in the draw - and proved he was a glutton for punishment by promising to keep coming back to Wimbledon until he breaks the cycle. A-Bog, 25, said: "I come here every year expecting to win and get past the first round, but I haven't had many easy draws. I've had to play the likes of Federer and Nadal, these guys are champions. I'm not concerned about having the worst record at Wimbledon. "I'm getting better and stronger each year and that is giving me confidence. I'm busting my balls to win matches and get myself back in the top 100, which is where I believe I belong. "People criticise me for how many wild cards I get here, but I don't set the rules. "Obviously it would be a great moment for me if I finally won a match at Wimbledon, but you don't live just to win one match here. I could be back here for another five years, who knows?" While Bogdanovich remains hopelessly in denial, at least 19-yearold Evans had the legitimate excuse of never having faced an opponent in the world's top 150 before Davydenko. And Evans admitted he would rather work shifts in a supermarket for a career than chisel out a living in the anonymity of Challenger tournaments. He said: "I'm not going to be asking for wild cards when I'm 25 - you've got to earn a living sooner or later. I think it's just respect for yourself. "There's no point in winning two rounds at a Futures event, you make pounds 170. What's the point? You'd have to work four days for that. "I haven't had to think about an alternative career yet - but Tesco are offering, though!" Goodall, ranked a lowly No.181 in the world, also had the grace to go down with all guns blazing 4-6 7-6 6-4 3-6 6-4 against Llodra in a match carried over from Monday night. But he is halfway to matching Bogdanovich's dismal record and he conceded: "It's disappointing to be on the losing end of a fivesetter, but those are the first two sets I've ever won at Wimbledon and this is my fourth time here." At least Baltacha showed some fighting spirit as she came through late last night with a superb 3-6 6-3 6-4 win over Ukrainian Alona Bondarenko. Two years ago, when Tim Henman and Katie O'Brien were the only Brits to survive the first-round carnage, the LTA didn't think it could get any worse. But if 2007 was carnage, this was Apocalypse Now. BOGDANOVICH AT SW19 2002: Nicolas Escude (France), 4-6 6-4 6-4 6-4 2003: Sargis Sargsian (Armenia), 6-1 6-3 6-2 2004: Roger Federer (Switzerland), 6-3 6-3 6-0 2005: Kevin Kim (USA), 6-7 6-1 6-4 6-2 2006: Rafael Nadal (Spain), 6-4 7-6 6-4 2007: Chris Guccione (Australia), 7-6 6-4 6-4 2008: Simone Bolelli (Italy), 7-6 4-6 6-3 7-6 2009: Tomas Berdych (Czech Rep), 6-3 6-4 6-4 His total earnings from 8 consecutive 1st round defeats: pounds 75,830 By PAUL SPALDING HERE'S how the British hopefuls are faring after the second day of the Championships.. Andy Murray Seeded 2. World No. 3 Was tested by USA's Robert Kendrick, who took a set off him. Daniel Evans Wild card. World No. 304 Alex Bogdanovic The 19-year-old debut man lost in straight sets to Nikolay Davydenko. Wild card. World No. 191 Exited in round one for the eighth year running, losing to Tomas Berdych. Josh Goodall Wild card. World No. 201 Anne Keothavong Put up a spirited fight but tired and was edged out by Michael Llodra. World No. 49 Disappointed British No. 1 out in straight sets to Austria''s Patricia Mayr. Georgie Stoop Wild card. World No. 188 Elena Baltacha Pushed No.7 seed Vera Zvonareva all the way but lost in three sets. Wild card. World No. 105 A Brit other than Murray wins as she edges out Alona Bondarenko. Katie O'Brien Wild card. World No. 108 Laura Robson Took a set from Czech Iveta Benesova but came up short in the third. James Ward Melanie SouthI come here every year expectiing to get past the first round. I haven't had easy draws ALEX BOGDANOVICH