LONDON, June 25: British No 2 Greg Rusedski slung seventh seed Mark Philippoussis out of the first round of Wimbledon yesterday and then revealed his special lucky charm.

Whilst other players were off court signing autographs, the Canadian-born world No 27 was collecting some.

``I was spending some time with the kids from Great Ormond Street (children's hospital) and taking some pictures with them and just signing some autographs,'' he explained after his 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (8-6), 6-3 victory.

``I got my lucky charm here... They gave me a signature, each one, so I'm putting it in my bag for luck. Hopefully it will bring me some luck.

Andrea Jaeger has a foundation with the kids and they have... Most of the kids in the foundation have cancer.

``She asked if I would pose for a picture and I have been to the hospital once before on a visit so it is nice to be involved with the kids and just to say hello.''

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.