Date:13/02/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/02/13/stories/2003021306702000.htm

Sport - Tennis

Agassi defeats Chang

SAN JOSE FEB. 12. Andre Agassi of the United States used the same form he demonstrated in easily winning the Australian Open to defeat countryman Michael Chang 6-4, 6-2 in the first round of the $380,000 Siebel Open on Tuesday.

The top-seeded Agassi, ranked No. 2 in the world, broke Chang's serve for a 5-4 lead in the first set and cruised through the second set against his childhood rival, who is retiring after this season.

Chang won his first of 34 ATP titles in this tournament at age 16 in 1988, failing to drop a set through five matches.

He won his only Grand Slam title at the French Open the following year.

The 30-year-old Chang, ranked 119th, played the first match of his farewell season and gave an inspired effort. He was the crowd favourite from the beginning, and received a long-standing ovation after the match.

"In my opinion, he's been one of the greatest competitor sports has ever seen," Agassi said. "Michael lays his heart on the line every time he's on the court." Chang announced he would retire after this year's U.S. Open because he no longer believes he can compete at the highest level.

In the match against Chang, Agassi never gave up more than one point in a service game, hit nine aces to Chang's seven, and took advantage of Chang's second serve with his powerful returns to win almost half of those points.

Agassi, a four-time champion here, is playing his first tournament since winning in Melbourne last month.

"I picked up where I left off, which is nice," said Agassi, who received some claps from 15-month-old son Jaden Gill, who watched briefly on the sideline with his mother, Steffi Graf.

"The first one is always a little unpredictable. There are times I come out after a Grand Slam win and feel like I can't miss. These days, I don't take any match for granted."

Agassi improved his career record against Chang to14-7.

The two grew up together going through the junior ranks. They last faced each other in 1999 in Montreal.

"It's amazing," Agassi said. "It doesn't matter how long it's been since you've played, you look across the net and it's so familiar. ... For me, there are a lot of times I wish I didn't have to look at the ball and could watch him."

"Even though I lost this match, I can walk away feeling good," Chang said.

"It's nice to know I can play against the guy, who of all players on tour is going to make me run the most. I can walk away today gaining some confidence."

On Thursday, Agassi will play against Australia's Mark Philippoussis, a 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 winner over Jean-Rene Lisnard of France.

In other matches on Tuesday, qualifier Paul Goldstein of the United States defeated Juan Balcells of Spain 6-2, 2-6, 6-3, Davide Sanguinetti of Italy rallied for a three-set win over Zeljko Krajan of Croatia after losing the second set in a tiebreaker. Sanguinetti served 16 aces in the 6-2, 6-7 (7) 6-1 win. Robby Ginepri of the United States also had to go the distance to win, beating Kristian Pless of Denmark 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.

The results: first round: Andre Agassi bt Michael Chang 6-4, 6-2; Davide Sanguinetti bt Zeljko Krajan 6-2, 6-7 (7), 6-1; Paul Goldstein bt Juan Balcells 6-2, 2-6, 6-3; Robby Ginepri bt Kristian Pless 4-6, 6-1, 6-4; Jan-Michael Gambill bt Todd Reid 6-2, 6-0; Mark Philippoussis bt Jean-Rene Lisnard 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.