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Agassi beats Rusedski in Dubai
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-02-28 09:33
DUBAI, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Andre Agassi held off a strong first set challenge
from Britain's Greg Rusedski on Monday to earn a 7-6 6-0 victory in the first
round of the Dubai Open, only the American's second event since the U.S. Open.
The fourth seed struggled early on against a British opponent who served
well and played solidly from the baseline and at the net. However, once the
tiebreak had been won 7-4, Agassi ran away with the second set.
Rusedski earned only five points in the first five games before Agassi closed
out the match on his fourth match point.
"I made a few good shots at the right time early in the second set, I relaxed
and maybe the edge came off his game too," said Agassi, 35, after his fourth
match of 2006.
"Obviously, when you can get up a break it helps you relax a little more. And
he didn't serve as high a percentage of first serves and I was returning pretty
well."
David Ferrer was the first seed to fall. The fifth-seeded Spaniard was beaten
6-2 3-6 7-5 by Rainer Schuettler of Germany.
After splitting the first two sets, Schuettler broke twice in the third to
lead 4-1.
Ferrer fought back and led 5-4, only to hit two double-faults as he dropped
his serve to love at 5-5.
Tim Henman came through a tough match with former finalist Feliciano Lopez to
reach the second round 6-2 7-6.
NUMBER ONE
Henman lost his position as British number one after the latest rankings were
released on Monday. Scottish teenager Andrew Murray is now ranked 42, seven
places higher than Henman.
His Spanish opponent virtually handed the opening set to Henman with a
sluggish performance and numerous unforced errors. But the second set was more
of a struggle.
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