Agassi leaves Paris in a daze

In just a fraction over two hours the American was out of the French Open first round, humbled 6-4, 7-6, 6-3. 8220;There8217;s really no explanation. I wish I could give you an excuse,8221; sixth seed Agassi said, trying to make sense of it all.

World No.1 Justine Henin-Hardenne avoided a similar experience on her return from illness.

The Belgian defending champion posted a straight sets win over Sandrine Testud but must be aware the victory had as much to do with her opponent8217;s lack of fight as her own form.

Henin-Hardenne shook off the after-effects of a viral infection to scrape by 6-4, 6-4. 8220;I8217;m not in the best shape I have been8230; but I think it is enough,8221; she said.

8220;I was nervous but I was sure that I was going to be nervous.8221; She had no real need to be. Testud, back on tour after giving birth to a daughter last year, looked as though she was on court merely to enjoy herself.

8220;It is a different life for me now playing tennis,8221; she smiled. 8220;I have other things in my life. If I am here today it is because I enjoy playing tennis, not for anything else.8221; If Testud could not muster any disappointment, the anguish Agassi displayed was palpable and the 34-year-old hinted he might not return to the Paris tournament next year.

8220;Listen, that standard is a long way off having any decent chance of winning here,8221; he said. 8220;My performance speaks for itself.8221;

Agassi won the French title amid euphoric scenes in 1999, becoming only the fifth man to win all four grand slam titles. He may now be left with just those memories for solace.

8220;Hard to say ? I mean you want to come back but you just don8217;t know,8221; he said, reflecting on the twilight of his career. 8220;I don8217;t know, next year is a long way away for me right now.8221;

Haehnel could barely express his delight. 8220;It8217;s difficult to say what I feel ? right now it8217;s unbelievable,8221; he beamed.

To start his career on centre court at home against one of the most successful players of all time would have been a daunting task for most newcomers. Haehnel took the occasion in his stride.

He had little to lose as he had contemplated quitting the sport this year.

8220;Yeah, I was considering giving this up,8221; the 271st-ranked Haehnel smiled. 8220;But now I reckon I will keep going for a bit.8221;

Former men8217;s champion Carlos Moya beat Dutchman John van Lottum 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2. Moya, seeded fifth this year, won the title in 1998 and reached world No.1 later in the year.

He rates highly his prospects of adding to that lone Grand Slam crown here, saying his form tops that of six years ago.

Briton Tim Henman, seeded ninth, had to fight back from two sets down to beat Frenchman Cyril Saulnier 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4, 6-3 but third seed Guillermo Coria had no troubles.

The Argentine thrashed Nikolay Davydenko 6-4, 6-2, 6-0, winning 18 of the last 21 games. 8220;I am definitely feeling better than I was in Hamburg,8221; he said, referring to the tournament this month when his 31-match unbeaten run on clay was ended by world No.1 Roger Federer. Reuters