Sports briefs for January 17, 2005

Monday, Jan. 17, 2005 | 8:25 a.m.

Agassi wins, Moya out in Australian openers

Andre Agassi made quick work of German qualifier Dieter Kindlmann today on the first day of the Australian Open at Melbourne. Agassi, who's seeded eighth and on course for a quarterfinal meeting with No. 1-ranked Roger Federer, dispatched Kindlmann 6-4, 6-3, 6-0.

Agassi seemed to have shaken off the effects of a hip injury that forced him out of last week's Kooyong Classic exhibition event.

"It held up all right," he said. "I woke up feeling the best yet since it happened."

Agassi's second-round opponent will be Rainier Schuettler, a player he beat in the Australian final two years ago.

It didn't take long for the tournament to see its first major upset as fifth-seeded and former French Open champion Carlos Moya lost to fellow Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 7-5, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

Federer was an easy winner. He extended his winning streak to 22 matches with a 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 vicgory against Fabrice Santoro.On the women's side, fourth-seeded and reigning Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova advanced to the second round with a 6-3, 6-1 victory against Sesil Karatantcheva. Former No. 1 Serena Williams and second-seeded Amelie Mauresmo also advanced. Upsets claimed two seeded women -- No. 16 Ai Sugiyama and No. 24 Mary Pierce.

Robbins stable

Former Oakland Raiders center Barrett Robbins remained in critical but stable conditiion in a Miami Hospital after being wounded in a struggle with a Miami Beach policeman during a burglary investigation. Robbins, 31, a former All-Pro know best for going AWOL just before the 2003 Super Bowl, was shot several times in the torso during what police called a "violent struggle" with detective Mike Muley.

Frenchman wins Dakar

France's Stephane Peterhansel won the Dakar Rally for the second consecutive year. He drove his Mitsubishi across the finish line in Dakar, Senegal, nearly 30 minutes ahead countryman Luc Alphand.

Puck makers out

InGlasCo. of Sherbrooke, Quebec -- the National Hockey League's official puck supplier -- has laid off half of its staff, a result of the NHL lockout that's in its 124th day.