INDIAN WELLS (California), March 13: Defending champion and fourth seed Andre Agassi crashed out in the opening round of the Indian Wells Masters on Tuesday, falling 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (8-6) to Switzerland’s Michel Kratochvil.

Third seed Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain also made an early exit as he went down 6-4 6-3 to Britain’s Greg Rusedski, while sixth-seeded Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean lost 6-3 4-6 7-5 to compatriot Fabrice Santoro.

Agassi arrived in Indian Wells riding the momentum from claiming his 50th career title on Sunday in Scottsdale but the 31-year-old American, having played 11 matches in 15 days, soon looked weary on another scorching day in the Palm Desert.

In contrast, Kratochvil, who had only advanced beyond the first round once in his previous three events and is nine years Agassi’s junior, chased down every shot.

It was only the second loss of the season for Agassi, who was sidelined for six weeks after pulling out of the Australian Open in January with a wrist injury.

But, after the match, a relaxed Agassi refused to blame his defeat on the conditions, his fitness or his schedule.

With Agassi’s only previous defeat of the season coming against world number one Lleyton Hewitt in the final at San Jose, the large afternoon crowd filing into the 16,000-seat arena arrived expecting to see a comfortable hometown win.

But it was the 44th-ranked Swiss who took the initiative, breaking Agassi to go 5-3 up in the opening set.

Agassi broke back immediately but the effort appeared to take something out of the Las Vegas showman, as he called for the trainer during the changeover to have his right thigh massaged.

Kratochvil kept up the pressure and went on to take the tiebreak 7-5.

Kratochvil, the second highest ranked player in Switzerland behind Roger Federer, broke Agassi at the first opportunity in the second set.

Agassi again broke back but Kratochvil eventually took the second tiebreak of the match 8-6 with a passing shot that his opponent could only stand and watch.

Agassi has only lost six sets this season, all in tiebreaks.

Results:

MEN’S