Agassi, who has said he will retire after the U.S. Open, entered the home stretch of his career in impressive fashion falling behind 3-1 before rallying to take the opening set in a tie-break 12-10 after saving three set points.

The eight-time Grand Slam winner then showed his class and fitness in the second set conceding just three points on his serve as he raced past the wilting Belgian in the searing 110 degree Fahrenheit heat.

Agassi, who has not seen action since a third-round loss to Rafael Nadal [Images] at Wimbledon, is seeking a fifth title in Los Angeles.

It will be the final title defence of the fifth-seeded American's glittering career having claimed his 60th title at the event last year.

In other first-round action, third seed Fernando Gonzalez of Chile battled past last year's losing finalist Gilles Muller of Luxembourg 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-5) while eighth seeded Russian Dmitry Tursunov [Images] also needed a pair of tie-breaks to tame Thailand's Danai Udomchoke 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-4).

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