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Andre still feeling pain Agassi withdraws from Mercedes-Benz Cup
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Top-seeded Andre Agassi, injured in an automobile accident earlier this month, withdrew from the Mercedes Benz Cup Monday, citing a lower back strain. "I'm very disappointed with the way things are going this summer," Agassi said at the Los Angeles Tennis Center. "I missed the Davis Cup, and it's now creeping into the rest of the summer." Agassi's car was rear-ended July 9, shortly after his return to his Las Vegas home from Wimbledon, where he lost to Patrick Rafter in the semifinals. "Andre has not responded to treatment," said Domenick Sisto, the tournament doctor. "It is still very tight and tender in that area. He is in consistent pain and it's best that he not play." Agassi said following the accident that he would be unable to compete for the United States in the Davis Cup semifinals at Spain this weekend. The Americans were swept 5-0. Agassi hoped to be ready to begin play in the Mercedes Benz Cup, which started Monday, but was obviously in pain as he spoke at a brief news conference. "I hit for 40 minutes yesterday, and then I started getting spasms at midnight," he said. "I'm not ready to compete yet. This is the first time I've picked up the racket, and I was hoping for a Wednesday night (opening match)." Agassi said an MRI exam showed he had a muscle problem rather than a structural one. "I love playing here, especially after playing Davis Cup at the Forum (in April)," said Agassi, who lost to Pete Sampras in the finals of this tournament a year ago. "This is the longest I've been out in a while." In first-round singles action Monday, eighth-seeded Arnaud Clement of France defeated Marcos Ondruska of South Africa 6-3, 6-2; Kevin Ullyett of Zimbabwe topped Ronald Agenor of Haiti 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-4, and Jan Kroslak of Slovakia eliminated Cyril Saulnier of France 6-2, 6-2. Two more first-round matches were scheduled later in the day, one between No. 5 Wayne Ferreira of South Africa and Anthony Dupuis of France. Mark Philippoussis of Australia, seeded second, becomes the highest seeded player in the competition. Lionel Roux of France will replace Agassi in the draw.
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