TENNIS ROUNDUP : Qualifier Knocks Out Lendl, Hlasek Beats Agassi in Milan

German qualifier Arne Thoms surprised himself and Ivan Lendl on Wednesday, eliminating the top-seeded player, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (9-7), in a first-round match at Milan, Italy.

In another upset, Jacob Hlasek eliminated sixth-seeded Andre Agassi, 6-2, 6-1.

“I played the match of my life,” said Thoms, 21, ranked 152 in the world. “I didn’t know how he played, but when I got on the court I found I could play with him.”

Lendl never looked sharp and struggled with his ground strokes throughout the match.

“He played well, hit a lot of good shots and I didn’t take advantage of the opportunities,” Lendl said.

Thoms felt the pressure was on Lendl as the match went on.

The German explained that he had nothing to lose while Lendl each week “plays guys who want to kill him.”

The 6-foot-2 Thoms displayed a big service and powerful ground strokes, particularly effective on the fast indoor surface being used in the $600,000 event.

Hlasek, a Czechoslovak-born Swiss, polished off Agassi in less than an hour. After losing his serve in the fifth game of the second set, Agassi hurled his racket off the court to show his frustration.

In other first-round matches, third-seeded Emilio Sanchez of Spain had an easy time against Jonas Svensson of Sweden, winning, 6-4, 6-1, and fourth-seeded Petr Korda of Czechoslovakia ousted South Africa’s Wayne Ferreira 7-5, 6-3.

Second-seeded Michael Chang advanced to the quarterfinals of the Volvo San Francisco by defeating Michiel Schapers of The Netherlands, 6-4, 6-3.

Top-seeded Jim Courier was to play Mark Woodforde of Australia in a late first-round match. Courier needs only to advance into the tournament semifinals to overtake Stefan Edberg and become the first American to be ranked No. 1 in the world in 6 1/2 years.