U.S. Open Men’s Matches : Agassi Beats Qualifier for First-Ever Win at Flushing Meadow

NEW YORK — Teen-ager Andre Agassi registered a first Wednesday when he won his opening-round match in the U.S. Open.

Agassi, a first-round loser in his two previous appearances at Flushing Meadow, finally broke through by beating qualifier Philip Johnson, 7-6, 6-3, 6-3. This stretched his overall winning streak to 19 matches.

“This was a lot tougher than people thought,” said the 18-year-old who is seeded fourth. “I hadn’t won a match here and I’m being called the American hope.”

Five-time champion Jimmy Connors, appearing in his 19th Open, was also a winner. The No. 6 Connors brushed aside Agustin Moreno of Mexico, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.

Agassi struggled early against Johnson, who played for two NCAA champion teams at the University of Georgia, and had his service broken in the sixth game. Agassi got it back in the next game, then jumped into the lead in the tie-breaker.

Johnson also registered the initial break in the second set, getting it in the first game, but that was the final time he was able to solve Agassi’s serve.

“I don’t know what else there is to prove,” said Agassi, who has enjoyed a rapid rise in the rankings. “Week after week I’ve proved myself.”

Connors required just 1 hour 41 minutes to dispose of Moreno. He was successful on 68% of his first serves, committed one double fault and never had his serve broken.

Told that Agassi has said he would like to emulate his success, Connors answered, “I guess imitation is the greatest form of flattery, isn’t it. I’m an original, leave me alone.”

Seventh-seeded Yannick Noah of France and No. 13 Jonas Svensson of Sweden both won their opening round matches against U.S. players. Noah beat Kelly Jones, 7-6, 6-4, 6-1, and Svensson defeated Todd Witsken, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4.

John McEnroe, certain his glory days are not all gone, says he’s done too well in past U.S. Opens to feel any pressure now.

A four-time winner at Flushing Meadow, McEnroe dispatched Mexican qualifier Leonardo Lavalle, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, Tuesday in an opening-round match, then said his attitude and game are strong.

“What do I have to lose? I’ve been in five finals, I’ve won this four times. It’s stupid to put pressure on myself,” said the winner of seven Grand Slam singles titles, who admits he just wants to “ice the cake a little.”

“I only need to click into a groove--I almost did against (Ivan) Lendl in the French,” he said.

McEnroe, seeded No. 16 and ranked 18th, connected on only 47% of his first serves but had 29 placement winners.

“It’s getting closer and closer,” he said of his search for peak form. “Once the serve-and-volley comes back, it’s going to change everything. Everything will pick up -- that’s the soul of my game.”

And he believes that his maniacal attitude of the past can be controlled.

“To drive myself nuts every time I lose makes no sense at all. I’ve done that before and I think that is what caused me to take a break,” he said, referring to his six-month layoff of 1986.