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'We're all disappointed' Agassi withdraws from Sybase Open with back strain
Posted: Wednesday February 09, 2000 09:56 AM
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Jim Courier's victory in the first round of the Sybase Open on Tuesday was overshadowed by the news that top-seeded Andre Agassi, the No. 1 player in the world, was withdrawing from the tournament because of a lower back strain. Agassi confirmed with Tournament Director Barry McKay that he would be unable to go after trying to work out at the San Francisco Tennis Club earlier Tuesday. "He said he started getting cramps on the flight from Zimbabwe [where Agassi played in a Davis Cup match] to London," said McKay. "Then on the flight to San Francisco, it started to get worse. He tried to work out, but could barely move." Agassi, who suffered from dehydration and exhaustion in Zimbabwe, was scheduled to see a physician Wednesday. "Everybody here knows it's a great disappointment for the tournament," said Courier. "He's the biggest draw in the game, and he's playing the best tennis of his career." The fifth-seeded Courier recorded 11 service aces and defeated Eric Taino, 6-3, 6-4. Fourth-seeded Michael Chang also won his first round match in the $350,000 ATP Tour event, beating Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan, 7-5, 6-4. Third-seeded Vince Spadea withdrew because of right shoulder inflammation. He was replaced by Belgium's Xavier Malisse, the highest-ranked player who lost in the final qualifying round. Malisse defeated Australia's Richard Fromberg, 7-6 (5), 0-6, 6-4. Magnus Larsson of Sweden, Cecil Mamiit, and Paul Goldstein also opened with victories. Larsson beat Argentina's Martin Rodriguez, 6-2, 6-1, Mamiit defeated Spain's Julian Alonso, 6-4, 6-4 and Goldstein topped James Blake, 6-3, 7-6 (4). No. 2 Mark Philippoussis, the defending champion, and Scott Humphries, who replaces Agassi in the main draw, open Wednesday night.
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