PARIS (AFP) - Former world number one Andy Roddick leapt to the defence of Paris Masters no-shows Roger Federer and Andre Agassi as the sport`s foot soldiers seized their unexpected opportunity in the Bercy Arena centre court spotlight.
Officials were furious with the last minute pullout of Agassi, arguing that the lucrative nine-event Masters series was discredited by the withdrawals and met to discuss what measures could be taken to stem the crisis.
The gravity of the situation was almost embarrassingly highlighted by the humble figure of Italian journeyman Davide Sanguinetti.
The player ranked 109 in the world had lost in qualifying but was called back as a lucky loser and then fast-tracked into the second round to plug the gap left by Agassi.
On Tuesday, he took a one-set lead over Sweden`s Robin Soderling before eventually running out of steam and losing 4-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-0.
Roddick, the top seed and who skipped the Monte Carlo and Madrid Masters this year, lashed out at those officials who are demanding financial penalties against players who skip the top tournaments.
"In what other sport do you play 11 months of the year?," asked the American.
"I am going to finish my season on December 5 and start next year on January 5. I would rather pull out of an event than injure myself. If they can`t understand the way an athlete works, it`s too bad."
Directors of four of the five European-based Masters events met here on Tuesday and decided to press the ATP, the governing body, to introduce sanctions in order to protect the integrity of the events.
They will also meet their American counterparts at the Masters Cup in Houston later this month to discuss what further measures can be taken.
One of the moves being considered, AFP understands, is to attempt to reinstate the end-of-season bonus pool to encourage more players to take part in the Masters events.
Agassi, twice a champion here, told organisers he had injured his right hip in his final defeat in Stockholm at the weekend.
He was immediately joined on the sidelines by Argentina`s David Nalbandian, who was to be the eighth seed, who said he had a knee injury.
World number one Federer, former French Open champions Carlos Moya and Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain and world number five Guillermo Coria of Argentina all pulled out last week leaving five of the world`s top ten missing from this tournament.
On the courts Tuesday, Spain`s Feliciano Lopez beat Rainer Schuettler of Germany 7-6 (7/3), 6-3, Russia`s Nikolay Davydenko cruised past Fernando Verdasco of Spain 6-2, 6-3 while qualifier Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic defeated France`s Michael Llodra 7-6 (7/2), 6-1.
Last year`s runner-up Andrei Pavel, the 11th seed from Romania, beat America`s Mardy Fish 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 while Croatia`s Ivan Ljubicic defeated France`s Arnaud Clement 6-3, 7-6 (7/4).
His reward is a second round clash with Russian sixth seed Marat Safin, champion here in 2000 and 2002.
Also progressing to the third round was Tommy Haas, the 18th seeded German, who put out Belgium`s Xaiver Malisse 6-1, 7-6 (7/1).
Later, second seed Hewitt was facing French teenager Gael Monfils while defending champion and third seed Tim Henman was up against Thailand`s Paradorn Srichaphan.
11/02/2004 - 18:55 GMT - AFP