Agassi wins, will skip clay
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Associated Press - Published: February 28, 2006
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Andre Agassi defeated Greg Rusedski 7-6 (4), 6-0 Monday in the opening round of the Dubai Open, showing no signs of a lower back strain.
The 35-year-old Agassi is playing only his second tournament of the season and third since his loss to Roger Federer in the final of the U.S. Open last September. Agassi pulled out of the SAP Open with a lower back injury earlier this month, and was sidelined by a sprained left ankle last fall.
Tim Henman moved into the second round with a 6-2, 7-6 (6) win over Feliciano Lopez. Fifth-seeded David Ferrer of Spain became the first seeded player to drop out, losing 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 to Rainer Schuettler of Germany.
Agassi also announced he will skip the entire ATP clay-court season, including the French Open, to improve his chances of playing at Wimbledon.
The 35-year-old Agassi said cortisone injections are helping him stay on the court after sustaining a lower back strain and a sprained left ankle in the last few months.
Agassi is playing only his second tournament of the season and third since lossing to Roger Federer in the final of the U.S. Open last September.
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