Roddick, Agassi on upswing in Oz

LEGENDARY coach Brad Gilbert could have a big say in the destiny of the Australian Open title after his proteges past and present advanced to the second round in menacing style.

Gilbert's pupil, world number one Andy Roddick, and his former superstar, reigning champion Andre Agassi, advanced to the second round of the season-opening Grand Slam yesterday with straight sets victories.

In dangerous Chilean Fernando Gonzalez, Roddick had a tough test, but came through 6-2 7-5 7-6 (7/4).

Agassi dealt with plucky Australian Todd Larkham, who briefly threatened by moving a break-up in the second set before the four-time champion, who last lost a match at Melbourne Park in 1999, cleaned up 6-1 6-3 6-4.

Sixth seed Rainer Schuettler continued his disastrous run of form by throwing away a two-set lead to remain without a win in 2004. He went down to Robin Soderling, 4-6 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4.

Roddick forced the upper hand in a tight encounter as Gonzalez became increasingly frustrated with some crucial line-calls.

"I'm happy to get through, especially as it could have easily been extended to four sets, and then it's anybody's game," Roddick said.

Along with Schuettler, seeds Arnaud Clement (30), Vince Spadea (29), Mardy Fish (21), Tommy Robredo (20) and Nicolas Massu (12) were all bundled out.

As expected, Carlos Moya pulled out with an ankle injury and Younes El Aynaoui failed to finish his match.

The Moroccan could not play on against Spaniard Galo Blanco and retired with a foot injury.

Russian Marat Safin made a successful return to the Grand Slam scene after an injury-plagued 2003.

The 2002 runner-up beat American Brian Vahaly 6-2 3-6 6-3 6-4.

World number one Justine Henin-Hardenne taught 15-year-old schoolgirl Olivia Lukaszewicz a harsh lesson about life in a Grand Slam but not all the seeds were as impressive.

Henin-Hardenne, the French and US Open champion, took just 45 minutes to whitewash the Australian world number 870 6-0 6-0 on Rod Laver Arena.

While Henin-Hardenne, Amelie Mauresmo and Lindsay Davenport marched on, three of the women's seeds stumbled.

Russian seventh seed Elena Dementieva was the highest to be eliminated, beaten 6-1 6-4 by rising Slovakian star Jelena Jankovic, the world number 79.

She was followed out by 10th seed, Russian Nadia Petrova who lost to 20-year-old Hungarian Aniko Kapros 6-3 6-3. Thailand's Tamarine Tanasugarn was also sent packing by America's Laura Granville 6-1 6-3.