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Agassi stumbles in Indian Wells, Safin through

Posted on: Tuesday, 14 March 2006, 02:04 CST

By Matthew Cronin

INDIAN WELLS (Reuters) - Andre Agassi suffered another setback in his bid to return to form with a 7-5 6-2 loss to Germany's Tommy Haas in the third round of the Pacific Life Open on Monday.

Two-times grand slam champion Marat Safin notched another win in his comeback, beating fifth seed Nicolay Davydenko 7-6 3-6 6-4 while Lleyton Hewitt survived a Rainer Schuettler onslaught to advance 7-6 2-6 6-4.

But Britain's Tim Henman wasn't as fortunate, falling 6-4 6-4 to Czech Tomas Berdych.

On the women's side, top seed Justine Henin-Hardenne of Belgium destroyed Aiko Nakamur 6-0 6-0, while fourth seed Elena Dementieva had to use all her guile to overcome Indian sensation Sania Mirza 5-7 6- 6-4 to reach the fourth round.

In just his second tournament in the past seven months, 2005 Australian Open champion Safin fought hard to take down the Russian number one for the second time in two weeks.

"Because he's No. 1 in Russia, he doesn't want to play against the guy who is out for seven months and basically he has nothing to lose, and he has to face it," Safin said.

"It's difficult to deal with the pressure for him."

The 26-year-old former world number one was out for much of last year with a knee injury, but said he's worked diligently to get himself back in shape.

"I'm ambitious," said Safin, who is ranked number 53. "I better start climbing back up there, because otherwise I will not get into tournaments. People will not take me as serious. It's very important to show everybody I still know how to play tennis and I'm still fighting."

FLUSTERED

The 35-year-old Agassi, who has played only seven matches since reaching the final of the 2005 US Open due to back and ankle injuries, said he was disappointed with his form.

"It's pretty patchy right now," Agassi said. "It's harder than it looks to put together a good match.

"It's frustrating. I've been through it before. But each time it gets tougher."

Haas will face 12th seed James Blake in the fourth round, who beat Tommy Robredo 6-2 7-5. Third seed Andy Roddick pounded Fernando Verdasco of Spain 6-3 6-4.

Young German seventh seed Anna-Lena Groenefeld continued her stellar play with a 2-6 6-1 6-2 over Israel's Anna Smashnova to reach round four and in a marathon three-setter, 17th-seeded Argentine Gisela Dulko stopped French 12th seed Tatiana Golovin 1-6 7-5 7-6 to get to the same stage.

In a battle of Russians, number 22 Anna Chakvetadze defeated number 11 Maria Kirilenko 6-2 6-3.

Source: REUTERS

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