Agassi Stays Alive in Five

MELBOURNE, Australia — Andre Agassi, the defending champion, survived a scare from Argentine qualifier Gaston Etlis before winning, 3-6, 7-6 (7-2), 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, today in the opening day of the Australian Open.

Michael Chang was the first seeded player to win. Chang, seeded fifth, routed David Rikl of Czechoslovakia, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2.

A little later, eighth-seeded Jim Courier, playing on a neighboring court, squeaked past Belgian Johan Van Herck, 7-5, 7-6 (7-1), 6-4.

Mark Philippoussis, playing in his hometown, won the opener on Center Court, 7-6 (7-3), 6-0, 6-1, against German Nicolas Kiefer.

In women’s matches, No. 3 Arantxa Sanchez Vicario defeated Beate Reinstadler. 6-2, 6-2, and No. 6 Gabriela Sabatini routed Shaun Stafford, 6-0, 6-1.