By Dustin Dow
Enquirer staff writer

MASON - Surprises were few on the first day of the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters on Monday, and when they did occur, they were minor.

Andre Agassi returns in the third set against Mardy Fish during first round play at the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters. (Craig Ruttle/The Cincinnati Enquirer) More photos from Monday

TENNIS COVERAGE

• Mason showcases stars • Agassi wins after vow to go down swinging • Relaxed Federer has tight grip on top spot • French champ seeks success on hard courts • Haas reaches goals as quickly as he sets them • Injured Clijsters joins fiance Hewitt at tourney • Russian ends losing streak with first win in two months • Fish's bad back serves up another loss • Masters results, schedules

No. 11 seed Andre Agassi, arguably the biggest name in tennis, was pushed to a third set by 2003 finalist Mardy Fish, but with Agassi well in control, Fish retired from the match because of back pain.

One of tennis' all-time greats, Agassi is trying to reclaim his past form this summer.

"I hope that I can see my best tennis again," Agassi said. "But, you know, only time will tell."

Germany's Tommy Haas, a wild-card entry, scored an upset over No. 8 seed and fellow countryman Rainer Schuettler, continuing Haas' strong season, which has already produced two tournament titles.

Andrei Pavel, the No. 16 seed lost to Wayne Arthurs.

As expected French Open champion Gaston Gaudio, 2002 W&S champion Carlos Moya, Marat Safin and Lleyton Hewitt all won first-round matches at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.

"To be honest, I'm not happy with the way I played, but I'm happy that I came back," said Moya, who needed three sets to get past Arvind Parmar.

Off the court, No. 3 seed Guillermo Coria withdrew from the tournament because of a right shoulder injury.

Todd Reid, the highest-seeded player to lose in the final round of qualifying, took Coria's place in the draw and plays Feliciano Lopez today at 11 a.m.

The world's No. 1 and 2 ranked players each play on Center Court today, the second and final day of first-round matches. Top-ranked Roger Federer plays Dominik Hrbaty not before 1 p.m. Hrbaty defeated Federer in their only previous meeting four years ago.

No. 2-ranked Andy Roddick plays in the feature match of the night at 7:30 against Max Mirnyi.

---

E-mail ddow@enquirer.com