Agassi sessions prove a help to Ferreira
Wayne Ferreira, playing his first match since pulling a stomach muscle in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, beat Spain's Juan Balcells 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 at the $400,000 San Jose ATP tournament on Monday.
"It was a long time off," said the eighth-seeded South African, who lives in nearby Berkeley and spent the weekend practising with fellow California resident Andre Agassi. "I spent a lot of time working on my fitness and I feel great."
Ferreira was the only seed in first round action on Monday.
Number one Lleyton Hewitt will play his first match in five weeks on Wednesday when he takes on Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan, a 6-3 6-1 winner over Paraguay's Ramon Delgado.
Second seed Agassi will play for the first time in nearly six weeks on Tuesday when he confronts American Cecil Mamiit, a former finalist here.
Andy Roddick, who won in Memphis last week, Belgian Xavier Malisse and Memphis runner-up James Blake of the U.S. are also in the draw.
In other action on Monday, Davide Sanguinetti of Italy defeated American Justin Gimelstob 6-3 6-4.
Sanguinetti now faces American Roddick, who reached a career-high 13th in the world following his win in Memphis.
Denmark's Kenneth Carlsen also went through, beating American Taylor Dent 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-2).
Ferreira, 30, used a clever all-court attack to knock out Balcells, the powerful Spanish serve-and-volleyer.
HUGE FOREHAND
The South African controlled nearly all the points from the baseline with his huge forehand.
Ferreira next meets Dane Kristian Pless, a 6-2 6-2 winner over South Korea's Hyung-Taik Lee.
"Even though I lost the second set, I didn't feel like I was going to lose if I concentrated on service games. I was feeling really comfortable and hitting the ball well. I had a good idea where he was going with his serves," said Ferreira.
He gave partial credit for the victory to his intense practice sessions with Agassi, who owns a mansion in Tiburon, no more than 25 miles from Ferreira's home.
"Those sessions were great," Ferreira said. "Andre hits the ball harder than anyone, so when I came out today it was like taking a step down in power."
At last month's Australian Open, Ferreira won a number of tough battles before being forced to retire in the first set of his quarter-final against eventual runner-up Marat Safin.
"I was really happy with how I competed, winning two five setters and a long four setter," he said.
"It was a little disappointing to get injured because I wanted to see how I would come through."
Although he's won nearly $9 million in career prize money, Ferreira is not ready to give up on his dream of being a major factor on tour.
"I was pretty disappointed in last year," said Ferreira, who fell to No. 62 in the world.
"But I've worked hard and to be realistic, I think being in the top 20 this year is something I can achieve. The guys that are on tour now are pretty even. There's no one who's going to sweep in and dominate."
