Thursday, June 26, 2003 | 10:13 a.m.
WIMBLEDON, England -- Andre Agassi steamed into the third round at Wimbledon today with a straight-set thrashing of unseeded Lars Burgsmuller.
Agassi, a Las Vegas resident, advanced with a 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 victory and will meet 27th-seeded Younes El Aynaoui. Agassi, at No. 2, is the highest remaining seed in the men's draw after No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt's upset loss in the first round.
Today's biggest upset marked the return to form of two-time Grand Slam champion Mary Pierce, who surprised No. 14-seeded Eleni Daniilidou 6-4, 6-1 in their second-round match.
Pierce, ranked 86th and plagued by injuries in recent years, advanced to the third round of a major event for the first time since Wimbledon last year.
"I'm just happy to be healthy and competing," she said.
Pierce, 28, has battled back, shoulder, abdominal, ankle and groin injuries.
"There was one time where I was doubtful if I would be able to play again," she said. She lost in the opening round at this year's French Open, and in the second round at the Australian Open.
But she looked in fine form against Daniilidou. Pierce won the Australian Open in 1995 and the French Open in 2000, but her best showing at Wimbledon was a quarterfinal appearance in 1996.
"She's a delight to watch when she's on her game," said Pam Shriver, a five-time Wimbledon doubles champion and now a BBC commentator. "And I've never seen her apply her skills so well on a grass court. She now becomes a danger figure in her part of the draw."
Pierce faces a potential quarterfinal matchup against French Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenne, who easily advanced today with a 7-6, 6-1 victory against Flavia Pennetta.
Also today, No. 8 Jennifer Capriati hit nine aces, including one on match point, to eliminate Marie-Gaianeh Mikaelian, 6-2, 6-1.
No. 10 Anastasia Myskina beat Russian compatriot Lina Krasnoroutskaya 6-1, 6-4.
And 1994 champion Conchita Martinez, the 18th seed, defeated Barbara Schett, 6-2, 6-4.
The biggest tantrum so far at Wimbledon was so excessive that even John McEnroe disapproved. Maybe Andy Roddick didn't need the help, but Greg Rusedski's profanity-laced meltdown in the third set ended his comeback bid in their second-round slugfest Wednesday.
After Rusedski lost his cool, Roddick won the final five games to finish off the angry Englishman, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (1), 7-5.
"He got pretty upset," Roddick said.
The blowup came when Rusedski led 5-2 in the final set. With Roddick serving at 30-15, Rusedski stopped playing a point when a fan erroneously shouted that a shot was out. Roddick won the point, and chair umpire Lars Graff let it stand, rather than replaying it.
"Ridiculous," Rusedski shouted at Graff during the ensuing changeover. He accused the umpire of allowing the fan to change the course of the match.
The BBC, which televised the match and picked up Rusedski's profanities on a courtside microphone, apologized to viewers. The tournament announced Thursday that Rusedski was fined $2,500.
"They cannot be serious," McEnroe said. "I'd be in jail for that."
Roddick, seeded fifth but the favorite with London oddsmakers, advanced to the third round for the third year in a row. He'll try to reach the fourth round for the first time when he plays No. 25 Tommy Robredo, who beat American Brian Vahaly.
That match will be overshadowed by a towering encounter between 6-foot-10 Ivo Karlovic, the tallest player in Wimbledon history, and 6-5 Max Mirnyi. Two days after upsetting defending champion Lleyton Hewitt, Karlovic beat fellow qualifier Paul Baccanello.
Todd Martin eliminated three-time French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten 7-6 (4), 6-4, 6-4.
In women's play, two-time champion Venus Williams overcame a slow start and erratic serving to beat Katarina Srebotnik 6-4, 6-1. She'll next play French Open semifinalist Nadia Petrova, and looming in the fourth round is a possible rematch with 18-year-old Vera Zvonareva, who upset Williams in the fourth round at Roland Garros.
"I'm definitely feeling good about my game," said Williams, seeded fourth. "I feel good about myself at all times."
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