Agassi is in the tournament as a wild-card entry, but was seeded third.

Second-seeded Patrick Rafter of Australia was ousted in his first match by German Bernd Karbacher 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-1), 6-2.

Rafter, the two-time defending U.S. Open champion, blamed his loss on poor serving in the hardcourt event.

"It was a pretty ordinary effort on my part. The court conditions were very difficult and it was very hard to see the ball. I also found nothing on my serve," said a dejected Rafter.