Hewitt scrapes through as Agassi snubs Hamburg
Ossian Shine
Top seed Lleyton Hewitt clawed his way into the second round of the Hamburg Masters on Monday while Andre Agassi chose to stay away and Pete Sampras's bid for claycourt success was again hijacked in the opening round.
Third seed Juan Carlos Ferrero was also a first-day casualty, letting slip a one-set lead to fall to fellow Spaniard Albert Costa 2-6 6-3 6-4.
Ferrero was joined at the Hamburg exit by fourth seed Yevgeny Kafelnikov. The Russian was crushed 6-1 6-2 by claycourt giant Alex Corretja of Spain.
Fifth seed Tim Henman showed his mettle against Nicolas Escude, however, the Briton showing no sign of a recent stomach bug as he mastered the Frenchman 6-4 6-2.
Hewitt, sporting a close-crop haircut, fought off a spirited bid by wildcard Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-5 6-4 to make the second round of the $2.8 million event.
"That was tough," he said afterwards. "I didn't know how to pronounce his name let alone what he played like before this match.
VERY DANGEROUS
"It is never easy to come into a situation like this - those sorts of matches are very dangerous."
The Australian plays another German wildcard in the next round, Bjorn Phau, who beat last year's champion Albert Portas of Spain 6-4 6-2.
Agassi picked up a fine after pulling out at the last moment citing "scheduling decisions".
The American won last week's Rome Masters, beating Tommy Haas in Sunday's final at the Foro Italico 6-3 6-3 6-0, and withdrew from the German $2.8 million event to conserve energy.
"After winning my first Masters Series event on clay I believe that I need to make scheduling decisions that address the entire year that lies ahead," the 32-year-old said in a fax sent to organisers.
"My decision does not reflect on the tournament...it has a wonderful field and will be supported by knowledgeable and enthusiastic fans."
Tournament director Walter Knapper said: "The field is terrific ... we have to accept Agassi's withdrawal."
Knapper lost another major draw card when Sampras was dumped out 6-3 6-4 by Belarussian Max Mirnyi.
Mirnyi, who beat Gustavo Kuerten in the first round here last year, brushed aside the 12th seed with the minimum of fuss.
Serve-volleying on Centre Court, Sampras found no rhythm against the hard-hitting Mirnyi and must go back to the drawing board before the French Open later this month.
"These are the sort of matches I need to win and I am not winning them," a disappointed Sampras said.
"It is deeply frustrating and I am pretty down about the way it is going right now."
Sampras, holder of a record 13 grand slam crowns, has not won a title of any kind since Wimbledon 2000. The French Open is the only grand slam tournament to elude him.
