Agassi loses first of year

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona: Sweden’s Thomas Enqvist overcame second seed Andre Agassi 6-7, 6-4, 6-1 in the first round of the Scottsdale Classic on Monday night, handing the American his first loss of the year.

“It’s a big one for me to beat Andre who started the year as he always does, winning the Australian,” said Enqvist, who had managed a single victory in seven matches this year entering the tournament. “I’ve been struggling with injuries and I’ve been trying to come back to the level I think I should play. It shows me that I can still play very good tennis.” The former world number four was devastating from inside the baseline and served big, ringing up 18 aces and facing only three break points against one of the world’s most proficient returners. “I though I played really well,” said Enqvist, who registered his best win since upsetting Pete Sampras at Indian Wells three years ago. “I could play at a high speed without making too many mistakes.” Agassi had come into the match with a 12-0 record in 2003, winning his eighth grand slam title at the Australian Open and taking his fourth title in San Jose two weeks ago.