TENNIS ROUNDUP : Agassi’s Troubles on Clay Continue at Italian Open

Andre Agassi’s clay-court season suffered another jolt Wednesday when he was ousted in the second round of the Italian Open at Rome.

Agassi, committing an unusual number of unforced errors, was eliminated by unseeded Stefano Pescosolido of Italy, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3.

Agassi, who returned to competition this year after a five-month layoff because of a wrist injury, also lost in the first round of the Monte Carlo Open last month.

“I haven’t been comfortable on clay yet,” said Agassi, a two-time French Open finalist. “I wouldn’t expect to do well at the French playing this way.”

Also losing was fifth-seeded Michael Chang, who was eliminated by Jacco Eltingh of the Netherlands, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4).

Top-seeded Pete Sampras defeated Spaniard Alex Corretja, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, to reach the round of 16.

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Bryan Shelton, his powerful serve undeterred by the slow clay courts, upset third-seeded MaliVai Washington, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5, to advance to the quarterfinals of the America’s Red Clay Championships at Coral Springs, Fla.

Shelton, who hadn’t made it past the second round in nearly three months, had 15 aces, including one on match point.

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Two-time defending champion Steffi Graf and fourth-seeded Gabriela Sabatini rolled to easy straight-set victories in the German Open at Berlin.

The top-seeded Graf defeated No. 13 Ginger Helgeson, 6-2, 6-2, and Sabatini defeated Kimberly Po, 6-4, 6-0.

Sixth-seeded Natalie Zvereva of Belarus withdrew because of stomach cramps after losing the first set to Ines Gorrochatequi of Argentina, 7-6 (7-4).