Andre Agassi/Getty Images

Agassi is On His Way

August 8, 2005 - Veteran American Andre Agassi, triple champion of the Canadian Open and third seed in Montreal, gave no sign of possible retirement in the first round of the Rogers Cup at Jarry Park Monday night.

The 35-year-old easily disposed of Spain's Alberto Martin, 6-4, 6-2. After a shaky start, the eight-time Grand Slam champion took control of the match, hitting sharp angles and forcing the Spaniard into unforced errors.

“I was pleased with the way I improved over the course of the match,” said Agassi. “By the end of the match, I was much more comfortable. But I was a little nervous in the beginning and the ball was really flying. I was trying to go after the ball so it didn't play me, but I wasn't quite committed to letting my swing go, so I was sort of moving forward and not finishing my swing, and I was losing control of a few shots. But by the end, I started finding my swing again and felt pretty good.”

On Wednesday's second round, Agassi takes on Sweden's Jonas Bjorkman, who ousted Vincent Spadea of United States.

Former Canadian Greg Rusedski of Great Britain overcame a one-set deficit to eliminate Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-3. Rusedski was moving towards taking the first set, leading 5-4 and 40-15. But a double fault and a forehand passing shot by Wawrinka broke his concentration and allowed the Swiss to come from behind to win the set. Rusedski regained his form to move on to the second round with relative ease.

“ I think that was a record in double-faults for me. I think four in a row, not too many people have beaten that from 15-Love to lose serve ”, said the Brit, who, like every time he returns to Montreal, had to explain in French his exile to London. “When I left for London, there were Henman, Edberg who lived there, and me. That helped us all out a lot. I don't think of retirement and could be back here in two years.”

In other action, Frederic Niemeyer of Deauville, Que., couldn't do anything against fifth seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko, bowing out 6-2, 6-1.

Britain's Tim Henman was on his way to the second round of the Rogers Cup until Slovak Dominik Hrbaty decided otherwise.

Coming from behind, Hrbaty, 24 th in the world, pulled off the first upset of the tournament, eliminating the 10 th seeded Henman, 3-6, 7-5, 6-1. The Brit, who arrived after vacationing in Tuscany with his family, wasn't terrified by the loss.

“It's frustrating but not alarming,” he said. “I played well in the first set, but when my level of play dropped, his rose. I'm trying to improve certain aspects of my game and I'm going to continue to put into play in matches what I work on in training.”

Motivated despite his loss, Henman thinks he'll be at the top of his game in Cincinnati or Flushing Meadows.

In other daytime matches, France's Richard Gasquet, the 15 th seed, was particularly pleased with his straight set win over Russian Mikhail Youzhny, 6-3, 7-6 (5).

And despite his 6-4, 6-2 loss to Brazil's Ricardo Mello, 16-year-old Philip Bester of Vancouver says it was an enriching experience and that he learned a lot about controlling his nerves.

The only other surprise of the day session was Swedish qualifier and doubles expert Jonas Bjorkman's straight set win over American Vincent Spadea, 6-3, 6-2. Seeds Tommy Robredo of Spain and David Nalbandian of Argentina won their matches in three and two sets respectively.

One of the most accessible tournaments

The Rogers Cup presented by National Bank is more accessible than ever thanks to the Uniprix Zone, Neighbourhood Day, and Tide & Downy Family Day.

Excellent tickets are still available for all sessions on Centre Court and for the National Bank Court. Tickets start at just $10, with the final weekend starting at just $40. For more information on this tournament or to buy tickets, call (514) 273-1515 (toll free 1-866-338-2685).

MORE NEWS+ HOME