Qualifier Paul Goldstein saved four match points against Australian Wayne Arthurs to post a 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) first-round victory. He came back from 3-5 in the final tiebreaker.

"I even surprised myself," Goldstein said. "I haven't won a tough match like that for a long time. Wayne has such a good return, and all the match points were on my serve. I got my first serve in on two of them, and he missed a backhand on the third. I was lucky. It's tough for Wayne, but it feels great to get through."

Once a member of the top 100 in 1999-2000, Goldstein has had to return to the Challengers and Futures circuits last year after suffering a variety of leg injuries.

"My confidence was low after last year, and I didn't have much faith in myself," he said. "But I played two great matches in qualifying and a win like this is great for my confidence."

Another American qualifier reached the second round as Jeff Morrison got past Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-4.

In addition, two-time champion Todd Martin of the United States outlasted countryman Jeff Salzenstein, 7-6 (10-8), 7-6 (9-7), and Taylor Dent defeated Robby Ginepri, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, in a battle between American prospects.

"It was a close match, just a few points here and there," said Dent, who won despite suffering from an upset stomach. "He played a great match. I was having some trouble with my stomach, but I hit the ball well today."

Fourth seed Xavier Malisse, playing his first match since the Australian Open last month, posted a 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 win over Spain's Juan Balcells.

The 21-year-old Belgian is a highly regarded prospect, but is still searching for his first career title. He was a finalist at a pair of American tournaments last year and has been runner-up four times overall in his career.

"For me to come out against a tough opponent in my first match and get the win will really help with my confidence," Malisse said. "I like my chances here given the way the draw has worked out."

Malisse next takes on Martin Damm of the Czech Republic, who beat Denmark's Kristian Pless, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5).

For the first time, this event features men's and women's draws after the long-running tournament in Oklahoma City moved to Memphis.

With two-time champion Monica Seles opting to play in Dubai this week, 1999 finalist Amanda Coetzer of South Africa is the top seed. Coetzer and another former runner-up, American Lisa Raymond, received first-round byes.

No. 4 Alexandra Stevenson of the United States overcame Russian qualifier Vera Zvonareva, 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), in an evening matchup.

Stevenson has reached the quarterfinals in Sydney and the Pan Pacific Open this season and was a quarterfinalist here last year, losing to Seles.

Zvonareva, 17, was playing just her third WTA Tour match. A two-time winner of the prestigious Orange Bowl junior title, she reached the second round at the Kremlin Cup two years ago in her only other WTA tournament.

In matches between non-seeded players, Japanese qualifier Shinobu Asagoe defeated Flavia Pennetta of Italy, 6-4, 6-2; Croatia's Silvija Talaja thrashed Indonesian Wynne Prakusya, 6-0, 6-1, and Hungary's Zsofia Gubacsi topped Canadian qualifier Marie-Eve Pelletier, 6-3, 3-6, 6-0.

American Jill Craybas held off Germany's Anca Barna, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, and Jana Nejedly of Canada defeated Seda Noorlander of the Netherlands. 7-6 (7-3), 6-2.

The men's winner takes home $126,000, while the women's champion earns $27,000.