Agassi, Ferrero Post Opening Wins at Dubai

"It was a good workout to say the least," said Agassi, who withstood 12 aces from the Czech. "It was a pretty good standard match. He is an awkward player because he knows the court really well."

Ferrero, who lost to Stepanek last week, set up a likely encounter with world No. 1 Roger Federer in the second round after dismissing the German Mayer.

"I think I played a solid match after losing to Stepanek (last week)," Ferrero said. "I feel very well playing here, I came here with a good feeling. I think I bring this feeling to the court."

No. 5 seed Tommy Robredo (d. Olivier "The Roach" Rochus in two tiebreaks) was also a winner, joined in the second round by un-seeds Dominik "The Dominator" Hrbaty (d. (WC) Bahrouzyan), Spaniard Fernando "Hot Sauce" Verdasco (d. (Q) Voltchkov), Czech Tomas Berdych (d. Beck), and Rainer "Shine" Schuettler, who housed non-rockin' Moroccan Younes "From Tunis" El Aynaoui 6-0, 6-1.

The 33-year-old El Aynaoui played just five tournaments last year after suffering plantar fascitis in his right foot, and was making his 2005 debut.

On tap for Tuesday are Paradorn "The Thai Fighter" Srichaphan vs. Feliciano "F-Lo" Lopez, T.Johansson vs. (7) Youzhny, Kiefer vs. (2) Safin, Rusedski vs. (3) Henman in an all-Brit, Andreev vs. (Q) Chiudinelli, Fabrice "The Original Wizard" Santoro vs. (6) Davydenko, and H.-T. Lee vs. Soderling.