Experienced Pierce eases through

Mary Pierce used all her experience to ease into the fourth round of Wimbledon with a straight sets victory over Ana Ivanovic today.

Pierce, fresh from reaching the final of the French Open earlier this month, cruised to a 6-1 6-4 victory over one of the game's rising stars.

At 30, Pierce is 13 years older than her opponent and turned professional just two years after Ivanovic was born.

But she feels her experience is paying off against the ever-increasing number of teenage prodigies on the women's tour.

"I feel I can see things on the court in a different way than I had in the past," said Pierce, who lost to Justine Henin-Hardenne in a one-sided final at Roland Garros.

"When I play against girls that are either half my age or five or 10 years younger than me and don't have as much experience, I can see things on court.

"It doesn't mean you're going to beat everybody, but it definitely helps."

Pierce's best performance at Wimbledon was almost a decade ago when she reached the quarter-finals in 1996, but the veteran French woman has made a smooth transition from the clay of Paris.

"I'm feeling more at ease with each match and I'm happy with my victory today," she added.

"Last year I lost in the first round so I'm definitely doing a lot better. I feel like I'm improving with every match I'm playing on grass and I hope that continues.

"I feel like I'm on a really good path right now. I'm at a decent level physically and play-wise but definitely have room for improvement."

Also in the bottom half of the draw, former champion Conchita Martinez was beaten in straight sets by Czech Kveta Peschke.

Peschke, 29, continued her comeback from two lots of knee surgery with a 6-4 6-1 victory over the 1994 champion.