Agassi wins in first appearance at Dubai
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-02-22 10:07

Andre Agassi defeated Radek Stepanek 6-4, 7-5 on Monday in his first ever appearance at the Dubai Open, earning a standing ovation from the largest crowed to see a tennis event in the United Arab Emirates.

American Andre Agassi celebrates after defeating Radek Stepanek, from the Czech Republic, 6-4, 7-5, on the first day of the Dubai Tennis Championship in Dubai, UAE, Monday, Feb. 21, 2005. [AP]

The fourth-seeded Agassi delighted the capacity crowd in the 5,000-seat Dubai Tennis Stadium, winning the first-round match in two hours and apologizing for not playing the tournament earlier in his career.

"I have had a few great days here in Dubai," the eight-time Grand Slam winner said. "I have waited a long time to be here, and I must apologize for being so late."

In the only other match involving a seeded player on Monday, No. 5 Tommy Robredo of Spain needed a pair of tiebreaks before finally beating Olivier Rochus of Belgium, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6).

Agassi was in control for nearly the entire match, despite 12 aces by Stepanek and some great shots around the court. After breaking Agassi in the seventh game of the second set to go ahead, the Czech gave away the advantage with three double faults.

"He is an awkward player," Agassi said. "He knows the court so well and you just don't know what he will do next."

Unlike Agassi, Robredo struggled in spots during his match. He jumped ahead of Rochus 5-0 in the first set before finally winning in a tiebreak.

Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero also won, beating Germany's Florian Mayer 6-3, 6-4, while Fernando Verdasco of Spain defeated qualifier Vladimir Voltchkov of Belarus 6-2, 6-2.

Ferrero, the 2001 Dubai Open champion, has not won an ATP title since Madrid in 2003 and lost four of his seven matches this year. He likely will face top-seeded Roger Federer next.

Federer plays his opening match against qualifier Ivo Minar on Tuesday.

Robredo next meets Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic, who defeated Slovak Karol Beck 6-4 7-6 (4).

In other matches, Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia topped Omar Bahrouzyan of the United Arab Emirates 6-0, 6-4, while Germany's Rainer Schuettler beat Younes Al Aynaoui of Morocco, 6-0, 6-1.

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