Agassi exits in Cincinnati

Andre Agassi lost 6-4, 7-6 to Gaston Gaudio in the Masters Series in Cincinnati yesterday, his second first-round defeat in as many weeks.

The world No2 was thoroughly outplayed and could find no answer to Gaudio's sliced backhand.

The Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic, survived a 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 encounter against Francisco Clavet while Gustavo Kuerten avenged an upset loss to Andy Roddick in Montreal last week, beating the American 7-6, 6-1.

Tim Henman overcame back spasms to advance with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Michal Tabara of the Czech Republic.

Meanwhile, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, of Spain, was beaten by wildcard entry Virginie Razzano, of France, in the second round of the Los Angeles Classic at Manhattan Beach.

The ninth seed, who is 18 th in the world rankings, lost 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to Razzano, who is ranked 83rd.

"The key today was mentally," said Razzano, who beat Germany's Anke Huber in second round of French Open this year.

"I decided to play fast and aggressive and to hit the ball to her legs. I wanted to move her around a lot."