TENNIS: Agassi's Australian ambition

Andre Agassi, sporting a new short-cropped haircut, flew into Adelaide yesterday to prepare for his long-awaited debut in the Australian Open.

Agassi, the US Open champion, has not competed in the event in Melbourne during his nine-year professional career and will warm up at the International Challenge which starts in Adelaide today.

The 24-year-old said motivation held the key to his attempt to replace his American compatriot, Pete Sampras, as world No1.

The flamboyant right-hander returned to the top 10 last year after a disappointing 1993 with a well-publicised change in attitude, attributed to the hiring of the veteran American player, Brad Gilbert, as his new coach last March.