Agassi Cruises Into Third Round

Andre Agassi breezed into the third round at Melbourne Park, dropping just four games in the process against Rainer Schuettler.

Agassi was expected to face a tough test against the German, the man he beat to win his last grand slam title in Australia in 2003.

The 34-year-old American, who will play Taylor Dent in the last 32, had been hampered by a hip injury in the build-up to the championships but made light work of the world No40, running out an easy 6-3, 6-1, 6-0 winner.

Fourth seed Marat Safin also had a comfortable win in round two, defeating Bohdan Ulirach in straight sets.

Having dropped just three games in his opening match, the Russian was almost equally ruthless today, quickly wrapping up a 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 victory with his 10th ace.

Safin, who will take on Mario Ancic in the last 32, said he is enjoying his best ever start to a grand slam after finally putting into practice everything he has learnt from his erratic career.

"I think this is my best start. I am playing well, I worked hard in pre-season and I am ready," he said. "Also I get older a little bit, I have more experience, I know what to do.

"I try to be a little bit more focused on what I'm doing and it's working. I have a good coach (Peter Lundgren) and I've been learning from my mistakes for a long time and now is the time to take advantage from it."

However, 16th seed Tommy Haas crashed out of the tournament after blowing a two-set lead against Karol Beck.

The German looked set for a place in the third round when he took the first two sets in searing heat on the Rod Laver Arena.

But as the temperature reached 95 degrees, Haas wilted under a relentless onslaught from his Slovakian opponent, who eventually recorded a 5-7, 2-6, 6-2, 7-6, 6-3 victory in just over three and a half hours.

Another seed to fall was Croatian Ivan Ljubicic, the 22nd seed beaten in four sets by Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus.

Elsewhere there were wins for seeded trio Tommy Robredo, Dominik Hrbaty and French Open champion Gaston Gaudio, but former world junior No1 Gael Monfils was sent packing by Belgium's Olivier Rochus in straight sets.