Agassi, Safin battle into third round

The big guns weren't expected to face heavy enemy fire this early at the U.S. Open, but title holder Marat Safin and twice champion Andre Agassi both had to survive fierce battles to reach the third round on Thursday.

Safin outslugged Croatia's Ivan Ljubicic 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (2-7) 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-5) in a classic clash of big hitters, while Agassi waged some intense groundstroke warfare to defeat Chilean Nicolas Massu 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 6-2 7-6 (7-1).

"It was just a great match from start to finish," said a thoroughly tested Agassi.

The third-seeded Russian needed three hours and 27 minutes to beat long-time adversary Ljubicic, using a 136 mph (218.9 kph) ace to win the final tie-break 7-5 on his third match point.

"I'm really happy that I beat this kind of guy, a guy who is playing great. For me it is very important," said Safin, who won a tour-leading seven titles last year but has yet to raise a trophy in 2001.

"My tennis is coming back. I feel better and better. It was a good thing to have one match like this. You have to fight, you're struggling a little bit, but you win. It's perfect."

Agassi, the second seed, battled three hours and 20 minutes to prevail over the inspired challenge by 86th-ranked Massu.

Massu, who pounded 18 aces, saved three match points from 0-40 at 4-5 in the fourth set, ripping a ferocious forehand winner into the corner to rescue the last one.

Agassi ran off the first six points of the final tie-break before claiming it 7-1 when the 21-year-old sailed a forehand long.

DELGADO NEXT

"In a series of seven matches at a Grand Slam, certain ones stick out," said the 31-year-old, who next meets Ramon Delgado of Paraguay.

"My experience tells me that was a great one to sneak through. He was moving really well, competing hard and not giving an inch," said Agassi, a winner of seven Grand Slam crowns.

Joining Agassi and Safin in the third round was British ninth seed Tim Henman, who outfought Brazil's Fernando Meligeni 6-3 6-4 3-6 6-4 to set up a meeting with Belgian Xavier Malisse.

Malisse, now working with Henman's former coach David Felgate, ousted French 21st seed Fabrice Santoro 6-0 3-6 6-3 6-2.

Four-time champion Pete Sampras went through to the third round with a 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 6-3 victory over Brazilian Andre Sa.

Sampras, who holds a record 13 Grand Slam titles -- his first came here in 1990 -- will next face Mikhail Youzhny of Russia.

Thirteenth seed Roger Federer of Switzerland beat American Robby Ginepri 6-2 7-5 6-1 and 14th-seeded Swede Thomas Johansson overcame Italy's Andrea Gaudenzi 4-6 6-2 6-3 6-3.

Romania's Andrei Pavel, the 22nd seed, fell 7-5 6-4 6-0 to former world number one Marcelo Rios of Chile.

On the women's side, second seed Jennifer Capriati reached the third round by routing Australian Evie Dominikovic 6-2 6-0, while fifth seed Kim Clijsters advanced 6-3 6-2 against American Allison Bradshaw before pulling out of the doubles because of the lingering effects of a strained thigh muscle.

In a night match, defending champion Venus Williams easily dispatched fellow American Meilen Tu 6-2 6-2 in a contest that was barely a warm-up for the older Williams tennis-playing sister.

Magdalena Maleeva of Bulgaria, the 15th seed, was sent packing by 68th-ranked Australian Alicia Molik, who posted a 6-3 3-6 6-3 second round victory.

Other women's seeds advancing included France's Amelie Mauresmo (8), Nathalie Tauziat (9) and Sandrine Testud (18), Elena Dementieva of Russia (11) and German Anke Huber (17).

EARLY FIREWORKS

Safin and Ljubicic set the scene by providing some early fireworks on a warm, breezy day at Flushing Meadows.

The familiar foes exchanged huge serves and sizzling groundstrokes, and both needed medical attention on the main stage at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

In the end, it was 21-year-old Safin who was left standing after thumping his 16th ace of the match.

"I've played him since I was 14, he's a very tough guy," said Safin, who lost his only previous ATP Tour encounter with Ljubicic, 22, last year in Sydney.

"He's got a good serve, got a good volley. I was really scared about him," the Russian added.

The 48th-ranked Ljubicic, who has recently beaten Agassi and reached seven quarter-finals this season, blasted 21 aces in an all-or-nothing attack that saw the Croatian rip 53 winners and commit 65 unforced errors.

There was only one service break each for the two huge servers, coming early in a second set during which Safin squandered a 3-0 lead.

"He served unbelievable," said Ljubicic, who held only one break point in the entire match.

Safin, who has not won a tournament since Tashkent the week after last year's U.S. Open triumph, will next meet Hicham Arazi of Morocco, who beat American Chris Woodruff 6-4 7-6 (7-1) 7-5.

The two heavy hitters showed signs of wear and tear from the centre court battle.

Ljubicic needed a lower back massage after falling behind 0-3 in the second set, while Safin had his left knee strapped before the fourth game of the third set.

"The whole match was so equal, I mean it could go either way," said the Croat, who carries a picture of compatriot Goran Ivanisevic hoisting the Wimbledon trophy as inspiration.

The Russian was relieved to survive. "I was a little bit scared, but I passed through. It was good."