12 February 2004	Thursday	20 Zilhaj 1424

SAN JOSE, Feb 11: Defending champion Andre Agassi struggled to overcome Irakli Labadze's serve but managed to outclass the Georgian 7-6 6-4 and move into the second round of the San Jose Open on Tuesday.

Germany's Tommy Haas, however, playing in his first match in 15 months since undergoing two shoulder surgeries, was beaten 6-4 6-2 by sixth seed Vince Spadea.

Agassi, who lost a five-set thriller to Marat Safin in last month's Australian Open semi-finals, dominated most of the baseline rallies against Labadze, but was confused by the Georgian's service game.

Labadze's resistance was broken in the first set tiebreak, double faulting to go 2-1 down on a close call that he disputed. He then smashed his racket to the ground after he missed a return to fall behind 4-1, which allowed Agassi to close out the set 7-4.

Agassi then ran the left-handed Labadze around the court in the second set, tiring him out before breaking in the seventh game and holding on to win the match to set up a second-round tie with South Africa's Wesley Moodie.

Haas showed few signs that he has successfully recovered from the surgeries with little timing on his groundstrokes. The 25-year-old also had trouble with his serve, failing to record a single ace, but the German thought his shoulder had held up well. on tour."

In other matches, third seed Mardy Fish beat compatriot Alex Reichel 6-1 6-4 to set up a second round match with Denmark's Kenneth Carlsen, who beat Austria's Jurgen Melzer 6-3 4-6 6-3.

Fifth seeded Robby Ginepri also moved into the second round with a 6-4 6-3 victory over compatriot Cecil Mamiit and will meet France's Cyril Saulnier, a 6-3 7-6 winner over American Brian Vahaly.

Results

Andre Agassi (U.S.) bt Iraki Labadze (Georgia) 7-6 (7-4) 6-4; Mardy Fish (U.S.) bt Alex Reichel (U.S.) 6-1 6-4; Robby Ginepri (U.S.) bt Cecil Mamiit (U.S.) 6-4 6-3; Vincent Spadea (U.S.) bt Tommy Haas (Germany) 6-4 6-2; Cyril Saulnier (France) bt Brian Vahaly (U.S.) 6-3 7-6 (7-4); Kenneth Carlsen (Denmark) bt Jurgen Melzer (Austria) 6-3 4-6 6-3; Kristof Vliegen (Belgium) bt Alexander Popp (Germany) 6-1 6-3.

Farina downs Pisnik: Italy's Silvia Farina Elia set up a potential quarterfinal clash with top seed Kim Clijsters of Belgium when she coasted past Slovenia's Tina Pisnik in their second round tie at the US$585,000 Paris Indoor Open on Wednesday.

Farina Elia, the seventh seed, came away 6-0, 6-4 winner in 63 minutes against an out-of-form Pisnik, and next meets either Clijsters or Spaniard Maria Sanchez Lorenz for a place in the final four. -AFP