Agassi Wins, Fish Flounders at ATP Delray Beach

Posted on January 31, 2006

Andre Agassi made his 2006 debut Monday night at the ATP stop in Delray Beach, Florida, punching the clock on the bad ankle that forced him to miss the Australian Open with a 6-4, 6-4 win over former Delray Beach champion Ricardo Mello of Brazil.

"I anticipated the return would be difficult but I felt good," said Agassi who recorded 10 aces. "(My) ankle felt alright and stable. It felt good. It was pain-free."

Other seeded winners struggled on the tournaments opening day in No. 6 Florian Mayer (d. Berrer from a set down) and No. 8 Vince Spadea (d. Wang from a set down).

Unseeded players winning into the second round were Americans Justin Gimelstob (d. Udomchoke) and qualifier Todd Widom (d. (5) Moodie from a set down), Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (d. Phau), Austrian Oliver Marach (d. Saulnier who retired with injury), and German Simon Greul (d. (WC) Fish) who recorded his career-first ATP win in five matches.

"It wasn't the wrist, it was the rust," Fish said after his loss.

On tap for Tuesday in Delray Beach are (3) Xavier "X-Man" Malisse vs. (WC) Sargis "Sarge" Sargsian, H.-T. Lee vs. (2) Ginepri, Kunitsyn vs. (4) Haas, Bobby Reynolds "Wrap" vs. Delgado, (Q) Salzenstein vs. Sabau, (Q) Kendrick vs. K.Kim in an all-American, (7) Muller vs. (Q) Rehnquist, and Olivier "All We Need is Just a Little" Patience vs. Pavel.